HL Deb 24 June 2004 vol 662 c149WA
Lord Lamont of Lerwick

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they approve of the use of sleep deprivation, disorientation techniques and other non-violent ways of putting pressure on prisoners in Iraq; whether they have communicated their views to the United States government; and whether they are satisfied that such techniques are not supported by the United States authorities with respect to certain prisoners in Iraq. [HL2787]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Bach)

All United Kingdom interrogators must successfully complete a stringent course prior to undertaking any operational interrogations. During the course they are specifically instructed that individuals being questioned must be treated at all times in accordance with the Geneva Conventions. Techniques such as sleep deprivation are forms of coercion that are banned by the conventions.

The United States is a signatory of the Geneva Conventions and the US administration have made clear that those responsible for mistreating Iraqis will be brought to justice.