---

Ministry of Defence

Answer

Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what rules govern (a) the handling of captured firearms and ammunition in Iraq, (b) the personal retention of captured weaponry and (c) selling such weapons; how many (i) officers and (ii) soldiers have been found in breach of such rules; how many have been subject to disciplinary action; and what sanctions have been applied. [176025] Mr. Ingram: In Iraq, all captured enemy ammunition is handled by qualified Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel, in accordance with the Ammunition and Explosive regulations and Joint Service Publication 482. Captured weapons are transferred to a central facility for destruction, repair, re-distribution to the Iraqi Security Forces, or when given approval, returned to owners. Personal retention of captured weapons is not permitted. In some cases, operational memorabilia is cleared for return to the UK for retention by the capturing units. Service Police conduct anti-smuggling checks on equipment, vehicles, containers and baggage transported back to the UK and service flights are subject to checks by HM Customs and Excise. As at 31 August 2004, a total of three service personnel had been reported by the Royal Military Police for possession of captured firearms from Iraq.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

176025; 424 c1543W;424 c1541W

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Disciplinary proceedings Ammunition Iraq Peacekeeping operations Weapons

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk