Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Ahmed (Labour). It was answered on Thursday, 23 March 2006.

Iraq: UK Forces

Question: My Lords, I thank my noble friend the Minister for his reply. I too congratulate the multinational force on rescuing the three hostages, including Mr Norman Kember. I express deep sympathy with the family of the fourth hostage, who was murdered. According to Amnesty International, about 14,000 Iraqis are detained without charge by the multinational force. Given that British troops will remain in Iraq, can my noble friend clarify whether those detained by UK forces are allowed access to lawyers and visits from relatives during the initial stage of detention? Will he explain what measures are being taken to ensure that those detained by UK forces will not be held indefinitely? Finally, will Her Majesty’s Government consider replacing western troops with an Arab League or OIC peacekeeping force?

Answer: My Lords, we recognise that the legal status of detainees and their access to legal representation is a vital component. However, responsibility relating to their detention is a matter for the Iraqi Government. It is important, following the establishment of an Iraqi government of national unity, that those matters will be a priority for that government. We look forward to the creation of a government of national unity to begin that process. I will write to the noble Lord and give full details of the further information for which he asked.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 680 c345
Session: 2005-06
Oral question type: 1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Related items: Deposited Paper HDEP 2006/303
Thursday, 30 March 2006
Deposited papers
House of Lords
Subjects: Detainees Armed forces Deployment Families Iraq Legal representation Peacekeeping operations Visits
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk