§ Lord Gardenasked Her Majesty's Government:
When statistics for Iraqi casualties since 5 October 2004 will be made available. [HL628]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanThe Iraq authorities continue to monitor Iraqi civilian casualties. It is for them to decide when to make further information available.
§ Lord Dykesasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they expect their findings on the figures for Iraqi civilian casualties to be published, following undertakings given at the end of 2004. [HL733]
130WA
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanAs I explained in my Written Statement to Parliament of 17 November 2004 (Official Report, cols. WS 61-64), we believe that the Iraqi authorities remain in the best position to monitor the casualties of their nationals.
It would be impossible in many cases for non-Iraqi agencies to make a reliable assessment either of casualties resulting from particular attacks, or of the overall number of casualties since March 2003. The UK Armed Forces do not maintain records which would enable us to make a definitive estimate of the total number of civilian casualties arising during this time. An independent inquiry is highly unlikely to be able to gain better access and provide more accurate information on casualties than the Iraqi Government.