Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Bach (Labour). It was answered on Wednesday, 10 January 2007.

Armed Forces: Steven Roberts Inquiry

Question: My Lords, will my noble friend confirm that lessons have been learnt from this tragedy, that enhanced combat body armour is now the standard body armour issued to all personnel on all operations and that that decision was taken by my right honourable friend Geoff Hoon when he was Secretary of State for Defence?

Answer: My Lords, my noble friend is right when he says that significant changes have been made to the policy on body armour. Decisions have been taken in the light of the lessons learnt from the tragic death of Sergeant Roberts—and, if I may say so, I am personally sorry for the death of Sergeant Roberts. His death has led to lessons being learnt. The most important lessons have concerned body armour policy and the provision of that armour. All our troops on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan are now provided with enhanced combat body armour. We have developed the new Kestrel system, which provides protection for top-cover sentries. We have developed the Osprey system, to have the flexibility to meet threats. Lessons have also been learnt regarding logistics and the tracking system. These are a direct result of the ““lessons learned”” exercise that took place after Operation TELIC and they have been implemented.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 688 c226-7
Session: 2006-07
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Subjects: Armed forces Death Armed conflict Coroners Evidence Iraq Ministers Witnesses Iraq conflict Hoon, Geoffrey Roberts, Steven
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk