Written question asked by Chris Mullin (Labour) on Thursday, 6 July 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 10 July 2006. It was answered by Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour) on Thursday, 20 July 2006 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Iraq

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the Answer by the Solicitor-General of 5 July 2006, Official Report, column 1111W, on Iraq, what investigations he has undertaken into the practice of wetting; how far up the chain of command knowledge of the practice extended; and what steps he has taken to ensure that the practice is not continued.

Answer: Wetting is not an official military procedure although the military chain of command is aware that this practice is alleged to have taken place in specific cases which have been individually investigated.All officers and soldiers receive training in ethics throughout their careers. Training is first provided during Initial Training, when a soldier or officer joins the Army, with further training linked to rank and responsibility, usually when an officer or soldier is promoted. In addition, every officer and soldier receives refresher training on an annual basis through the Military Annual Training Tests which maintain Common Military Skills. This routine training is reinforced during Pre-Deployment Training where all soldiers and officers receive refresher training on the Values and Standards of the British Army, Equality and Diversity and the Law of Armed Conflict.Where there are any allegations that soldiers have failed to act within the law or their rules of engagement, those allegations will be investigated and where appropriate, action will be taken against individuals.

Secondary information