§ Adam PriceTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether British service personnel worked as part of the team of the US military judge advocate in Iraq, Colonel Mark Warren. [185908]
§ Mr. IngramOno United Kingdom officer worked with Colonel Warren.
§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 19 July, 2004Official Report, column 245W, on Iraq, how many enquiries by (a) civilian authorities and (b) military police resulted from these incidents; what the conclusions were; and if he will make a statement. [186420]
§ Mr. IngramEight incidents that led to allegations against United Kingdom forces and compensation being paid to Iraqi people have been investigated by the Royal Military Police. Three concluded that no crime could be established and five have been referred to the relevant prosecuting service.
1541W
§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Iraqi detainees and prisoners of war were held by British forces in Iraq on 29 June. [188320]
§ Mr. IngramThere were no prisoners of war or detainees held by British forces in Iraq on 29 June. However, 49 internees were held.
§ Adam PriceTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether a British officer was responsible for supervising Lieutenant-Colonel Steven Jordan during his time at Abu Ghraib in 2003 and 2004. [188302]
§ Mr. Ingram[holding answer 13 September 2004]: No. At no time have United Kingdom officers had direct responsibility for supervising any of the US personnel posted to Abu Ghraib.
§ Adam PriceTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether Colonels Campbell James and Chris Terrington were part of a joint reporting or command chain with the US army during their time in Iraq. [188303]
§ Mr. Ingram[holding answer 13 September 2004]: Colonel Terrington and his successor, Colonel Campbell-James were embedded within the C2 (Intelligence) Division of the US Combined Joint Task Force 7.
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what rules govern(a) the handling of captured firearms and ammunition in Iraq, (b) the personal retention of captured weaponry and (c) selling such weapons; how many (i) officers and (ii) soldiers have been found in breach of such rules; how many have been subject to disciplinary action; and what sanctions have been applied. [176025]
§ Mr. IngramIn Iraq, all captured enemy ammunition is handled by qualified Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel, in accordance with the Ammunition and Explosive regulations and Joint Service Publication 482. Captured weapons are transferred to a central facility for destruction, repair, re-distribution to the Iraqi Security Forces, or when given approval, returned to owners. Personal retention of captured weapons is not permitted. In some cases, operational memorabilia is cleared for return to the UK for retention by the capturing units. Service Police conduct anti-smuggling checks on equipment, vehicles, containers and baggage transported back to the UK and service flights are subject to checks by HM Customs and Excise.
As at 31 August 2004, a total of three service personnel had been reported by the Royal Military Police for possession of captured firearms from Iraq.
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what instructions were made available to interrogators and other soldiers involved in the handling of prisoners in Iraq from March 2003 onwards in order to prevent European Convention on Human Rights violations under Article 3 occurring through each of the five techniques identified by the Court in 1978. [174551]
§ Mr. IngramAll UK armed forces personnel are instructed that Iraqi prisoners should be treated in accordance with the Geneva Conventions, which include the prohibition of torture. Each major unit also has a number of personnel trained to a greater degree in prisoner handling.
1542WAll UK 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, again, be treated at all times in accordance with the Geneva Conventions.
§ Harry CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence further to his statement of 7 January 2004,Official Report, column 139WH, on the case of Baha Musa, when he expects the investigation to be completed; whether its outcome will be placed in the public domain; and if he will make a statement. [171623]
§ Mr. IngramThe investigation into the death of Baha Musa has concluded and the case is now being considered by the Army Prosecuting Authority. Any ensuing trial would be held in public.