Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 18 April 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 23 April 2007. It was answered by Lord Browne of Ladyton (Labour) on Wednesday, 16 May 2007 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Mercenaries: Iraq

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what training in human rights legislation was given to (a) UK troops and (b) private military companies engaged by the UK before they commenced activities in Iraq; and whether private military companies operating at the request of the UK Government are regarded as public authorities for the purpose of the Human Rights Act 1998.

Answer: [holding answer 23 April 2007]: Prior to deploying on operations, all armed forces personnel are given training which includes Law of Armed Conflict and theatre-specific operational law and cultural awareness briefings. Once personnel have deployed, an in-theatre briefing is delivered which reinforces the previous training and updates them on any subsequent developments.The MOD has not employed any private military or security companies in Iraq and therefore has not been involved in the delivery of training to their personnel, or in determining their status in respect to the Human Rights Act 1998.

Secondary information