Written question asked by Harold Best (Labour) on Wednesday, 5 May 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 14 June 2004. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Monday, 14 June 2004 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the number of Iraqi civilians killed (a) during the war, (b) since President Bush declared an end to hostilities and (c) in early April in Fallujah; and if he will make a statement. - (Holding answer 11 May 2004).

Answer: Mr. Best: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the number of Iraqi civilians killed (a) during the war, (b) since President Bush declared an end to hostilities and (c) in early April in Fallujah; and if he will make a statement. [171853] Mr. Ingram: [holding answer 11 May 2004]: We have no reliable means of ascertaining the numbers of Iraqi civilians killed during major combat operations between 19 March and 1 May 2003. Since 1 May, United Kingdom Units have reported all confirmed fatalities of which they arc aware arising from incidents in which they were involved and we have put in place a mechanism for central collation of unit reports. However it is not always possible to confirm whether fatalities or injuries have occurred during a particular incident. For example, in some incidents we believe Iraqi dead and/or injured may have been taken away by their compatriots before UK forces could investigate. In other incidents UK forces have been forced to withdraw before any Iraqi fatalities and/or injuries could be confirmed. Consequently we have no viable means of assessing the completeness of the information. We are not in a position to comment on civilian casualties allegedly caused by other coalition partners.

Secondary information