HC Deb 20 January 2004 vol 416 cc1123-4W
Adam Price

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on the extra-territorial applicability of the European Convention on Human Rights in territories under the military occupation of United Kingdom forces. [141685]

Mr. Ingrain

I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House.

Jeremy Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total cost is since September 2002 of the deployment of United Kingdom forces in Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [148298]

Mr. Ingram

Outturn information for 2002–03 on the cost of operations in Iraq which have been subject to National Audit Office (NAO) audit, have been published as part of the Department's Annual Report and Accounts. Operating Costs for 2002–03 for operations in Iraq total £629.531 million. Expenditure on capital equipment amounts to £217.680 million. The grand total is, therefore, £847.211 million.

For 2003–04, funding voted at Winter Supplementary Estimates amounted to £1.2 billion and covered the cost of peacekeeping and associated Urgent Operational Requirements (UORs). The Ministry of Defence will seek a further £300 million at Spring Supplementary Estimates to cover primarily the cost of the Recuperation of the Department's operational capability. Thus, the total sought in 2003–04 will be £1.5 billion.

It is too early to say what costs might be incurred after 2003–04.

Harry Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 4 December 2003,Official Report, column 127W, on Iraq, what the latest total is of deaths in British custody; what the status of investigations into them is; and if he will make a statement. [148435]

Mr. Ingram

[holding answer on 19 January 2004]:There have been a total of 6 deaths of Iraqis in UK custody in Iraq. All are, or have been, the subject of investigations by the Royal Military Police Special Investigations Branch. The investigation into the death of Radhi Nama concluded that he died of natural causes. The other five investigations are continuing and it would therefore be inappropriate to comment further until they are complete.

Mr. Rosindell

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 15 December 2003,Official Report, column 30W, on Iraq, how many of the armoured Land Rovers operating in Iraq have been used in field operations. [148550]

Mr. Ingram

All of them.

Mr. Rosindell

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 5 January 2003,Official Report, column 30W, on Iraq, how many of the Gazelle and Puma helicopters operating in Iraq have been used in field operations. [148585]

Mr. Ingram

All of them.