Written question asked by Richard Younger-Ross (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 2 June 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 6 June 2006. It was answered by Kim Howells (Labour) on Wednesday, 14 June 2006 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

James Miller

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she has made to the Israeli authorities regarding the prosecution of the soldiers and commanding officer involved in the killing of British cameraman James Miller in May 2003 since the St. Pancras coroner’s verdict.

Answer: My noble and learned Friend the Attorney-General is responsible for matters relating to possible prosecutions in the United Kingdom. Following the coroner’s verdict he and my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary separately met James Miller’s family. During his subsequent visit to Israel in May, the Attorney-General had detailed discussions on this matter and indeed the killing of Thomas Hurndall, with the Israeli Foreign Minister, Minister of Justice, Attorney-General and Military Advocate General and others. In addition the Attorney-General raised the issue of holding an independent inquiry into the death and subsequent investigation and pressed for appropriate compensation to be paid to the family without delay. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary is in contact with the Attorney-General about how this matter will be taken forward.

Secondary information