Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Baroness Tonge (Liberal Democrat). It was answered on Thursday, 23 April 2009.

United States: Interrogation of Detainees

Question: My Lords, does the Minister ever consider that this Government have, by their actions or inactions over recent years, been in breach of international law?

Answer: My Lords, I do not accept that and am having difficulty in identifying the particular illustration that the noble Baroness might have in mind. I emphasise that it is quite clear that the new Administration in the United States are looking at these things rather differently from the previous one, but that does not alter one jot the British position, which is quite clear; we do not condone the use of these techniques, we regard waterboarding as torture, and all instructions to British personnel guarantee that it is not used by British citizens.

Secondary information