HC Deb 22 July 2004 vol 424 cc526-7W
Mr. Soames

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether at any point children have been detained in the Coalition-run detention centres in Umm Qasr; and if he will make a statement. [182929]

Mr. Ingram

[holding answer 8 July 2004]: During decisive operations to 1 May 2003 and subsequently, UK forces have detained individuals who have been a threat to them and a number believed to be criminals. Some of these people were detained in the facility at Umm Qasr and some were discovered to be under 18 years of age. Those internees and detainees still held by UK forces in the Umm Qasr facility were transferred to the UK Divisional Temporary Detention Facility at Shaibah on or about 15 December 2003.

Adam Price

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 15 July 2004,Official Report, column 1235W, on Iraq, whether hooding was a contributory factor in any harm suffered by individuals in the incident mentioned.

Mr. Ingram

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

Adam Price

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 15 July 2004,Official Report, column 1235W, on Iraq, on what basis military commanders concluded that hooding detainees could be harmful. [185974]

Mr. Ingram

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

Adam Price

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 15 July 2004,Official Report, column 1235W, on Iraq, whether military commanders concluded following the incident concerned that the potentially harmful effects of hooding could be fatal. [185975]

Mr. Ingram

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

Forward to