§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the outcome was of the investigation into the death of Mr. Leslie John Douglas; when a Board of Inquiry was convened; what its recommendations were; and what further action has been taken. [162259]
§ Mr. IngramThe Royal Military Police Special Investigation, despite extensive witness interviews and forensic examination, was inconclusive.
A Board of Inquiry (BOI) into Cpl Douglas's death was convened in November 2001. It made the following recommendations on range safety:
that reminders of key Range Planning and Safety Regulations should be issued periodically to the Chain of Command;that Guidance on safe bayonet fitting drills should be reviewed;that measures be taken to reinforce the need for completion of all aspects of Stage 4 Transition to Field Firing training, prior to commencing Stage 5 Field Firing.The following actions have been taken:
periodic reminders of key Range Planning and Safety Regulations are now issued to the chain of command;guidance on safe bayonet fitting was reviewed and amended;all training authorities are now reminded periodically of the need to ensure proper progression of training.