§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 5 January 2004,Official Report, columns 29–30W, on Iraq if he will (a) give the date and (b) describe each of the events for which compensation was paid to Iraqi civilians for injuries caused by UK forces; and if he will make a statement. [157150]
§ Mr. Ingram[holding answer 5 March 2004]: 22 individuals have received payment as a result of claims for compensation submitted since 1 May 2003 by Iraqi civilians claiming to have been injured by UK forces.
These claims resulted from the following events:
Events 5 August 2003 Injuries resulting from property search 6 August 2003 Injuries sustained in road traffic accident 9 August 2003 Gunshot wound 14 August 2003 Injuries sustained in road traffic accident 22 August 2003 Injuries sustained during arrest 30 September 2003 Injuries sustained in road traffic accident 14 October 2003 Gunshot wound
§ Adam PriceTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what meetings ministers and officials in his Department have had with relatives of Iraqi civilians allegedly killed as a result of Coalition action. [158859]
§ Mr. IngramIn Iraq, members of the UK armed forces and other MOD officials meet Iraqis to discuss a range of issues, and these can include the topic of civilian casualties. In the event of a claim issued by Iraqi civilians against UK forces, for example, Area Claims Officers will meet those who wish to issue the claim.
As these arrangements are in place in theatre, Ministers and MOD officials in the UK have not had cause to meet civilians specifically to discuss the issue of the alleged killing of their relatives by Coalition action.
§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many contracts have been awarded to UK firms for the reconstruction of Iraq; and how many of these are(a) Welsh firms and (b) firms with operations in Wales. [158894]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienIn view of the large number of different organisations involved in letting reconstruction contracts in Iraq, it has become difficult to maintain a definitive picture of the total volume of contracts awarded, and the cumulative value of these contracts. In addition a number of British companies have been awarded contracts and sub-contracts for the reconstruction process in Iraq, but some have asked us not to publicise their success because of issues of commercial confidentiality. Those companies that have advised us of their success are not recorded by region, and so we are therefore unable to assess the success or364W otherwise of companies with operations in Wales. I will write to the hon. Member with further details about some of the Contracts that we know bout.