Written question asked by Adam Price (Plaid Cymru) on Monday, 5 December 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 8 December 2005. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Thursday, 12 January 2006 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Iraq

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 1 December 2005, Official Report, columns 677–78W, on Iraq, (1) when the Government were first informed of the deaths in April; and what action was taken as a result;

Answer: [holding answer 8 December 2005]: I am only aware of one death in April 2005 of an Iraqi that United Kingdom forces believe was at the time in the custody of the Iraqi police service. It is believed that the death occurred between 10 April, when the individual was detained and 14 April, when officials became aware of it. Ministers were advised on 28 April. Strong representations were subsequently made to the Iraqi authorities, both in Basra and in Baghdad, that they should carry out a full investigation and that any human rights abuses in the treatment of prisoners in Iraqi custody should cease. As a result the unit in whose custody the death occurred was disbanded and three Iraqi police officers are under investigation.UK armed forces were involved in the arrest of the individual on 10 April but there is no record of prior contact with him.The other death to which I referred in my answer of 11 November 2005, Official Report, column 855W, occurred in September 2005. I am not aware that the individual concerned had any prior involvement with UK forces.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 36073; 441 c754-5W
Session: 2005-06
Related items: Iraq
Friday, 11 November 2005
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Detainees Death Iraq Police custody
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk