Written question asked by Bill Wiggin (Conservative) on Wednesday, 7 July 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 21 July 2004. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Wednesday, 21 July 2004 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether British troops charged with torture or mistreatment of prisoners in Iraq could be tried in an Iraqi court under Iraqi law. - Includes ref to 1 July 2004, 423 c432W.

Answer: Mr. Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether British troops charged with torture or mistreatment of prisoners in Iraq could be tried in an Iraqi court under Iraqi law. [183244] Mr. Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary gave on 1 July 2004, Official Report, column 432W, to the right hon. Member for Devizes (Mr. Ancram). British troops serving in Iraq have immunity under Coalition Provisional Authority Order 17. United Kingdom armed forces, wherever they operate in the world, are subject to English criminal law. They can be tried by court martial for acts committed overseas if those acts would constitute a criminal offence if committed in the UK.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 183244; 424 c265-6W
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Criminal proceedings Armed forces Courts martial Iraq Inhuman treatment Prosecutions Prisoners Peacekeeping operations Legal systems
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk