§ Lord Juddasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their policy towards the payment of compensation to Iraqi citizens for deaths, injuries and property damage caused by the coalition forces; 111WA and what are the practices currently employed by United Kingdom personnel and by other coalition partners. [HL294]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Bach)Claims made by Iraqis for losses that do not arise in connection with combat operations are handled in accordance with the direction of the Coalition Provisional Authority—specifically Section 6 of CPA order number 17. This states that
Third party claims including those for property loss or damage and for personal injury and death or in respect of any other matter arising from or attributing to Coalition personnel or any persons employed by them, whether normally resident in Iraq or not, and that do not arise in connection with military combat operations, shall be submitted and dealt with by the Parent State whose coalition personnel, property, activities or other assets are alleged to have caused the claimed damage, in a manner consistent with the national laws of the Parent State".Hence, we will generally pay compensation in circumstances where the loss would give rise to a legal liability under English law.
The payment of compensation by other coalition partners is a matter for them.