Written question asked by Harry Cohen (Labour) on Monday, 10 May 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 18 November 2004. It was answered by Geoffrey Hoon (Labour) on Thursday, 18 November 2004 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what reports he has received about abuses of Iraqi prisoners at Umm Qasr prison; what part was played by UK armed forces, including interrogators; over what period these abuses took place; over what period UK forces were operating at the prison; when reports of abuses were (a) first and (b) subsequently communicated to UK personnel; how such reports of abuses at the prison were dealt with; how the political officer of the British Armed Forces dealt with this matter when it was reported to him on 1st April; how his report on this was dealt with; when Ministers received (i) first and (ii) subsequent reports of abuse; and if he will make a statement. - Will write.

Answer: Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reports he has received about abuses of Iraqi prisoners at Umm Qasr prison; what part was played by UK armed forces, including interrogators; over what period these abuses took place; over what period UK forces were operating at the prison; when reports of abuses were (a) first and (b) subsequently communicated to UK personnel; how such reports of abuses at the prison were dealt with; how the political officer of the British Armed Forces dealt with this matter when it was reported to him on 1 April 2004; how his report on this was dealt with; when Ministers received (i) first and (ii) subsequent reports of abuse; and if he will make a statement. [173025] Mr. Hoon: I will write to my hon Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

Secondary information