Written question asked by Lynne Jones (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 June 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 30 July 1998. It was answered by Doug Henderson (Labour) on Thursday, 30 July 1998 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the last training exercise involving the shooting of pigs in Denmark was carried out; why Denmark was chosen as the location; and if he has any plans to carry out similar exercises in the future.

Answer: Dr. Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the last training exercise involving the shooting of pigs in Denmark was carried out; why Denmark was chosen as the location; and if he has any plans to carry out similar exercises in the future. [45511] Mr. Doug Henderson: The last training exercise involving the shooting of pigs in which UK Service personnel took part was in May 1998. The pigs had been anaesthetised and the exercise was designed to train medical personnel in resuscitation and surgical techniques for treating wounds inflicted by different calibre weapons. The exercise was organised by the Danish Armed Forces' Medical Services and the UK, together with NATO allies and other nations, was invited to participate. However, Ministers in this Government had not previously had this training drawn to their attention, and so UK participation was immediately suspended pending a review of my Department's training methods.

Secondary information