Written question asked by Kevin McNamara (Labour) on Monday, 5 July 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 15 July 2004. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Thursday, 15 July 2004 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer of 28th June, 423 c142W, on what date he was first informed (a) that two British intelligence officers had participated in the interrogation of a hooded Iraqi prisoner and (b) that the Prime Minister had disclosed this information to the Intelligence and Security Committee.

Answer: Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 28 June 2004, Official Report, column 142W, on what date he was first informed (a) that two British intelligence officers had participated in the interrogation of a hooded Iraqi prisoner and (b) that the Prime Minister had disclosed this information to the Intelligence and Security Committee. [182921] Mr. Ingram: My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister copied his letter to the Chairman of the Intelligence and Security Committee to the Defence Secretary on the 25 May 2004. The intelligence personnel concerned were not members of the armed forces. We are not aware of any instances where the armed forces interrogators have used hooding as an interrogation technique.

Secondary information