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26 Mar 2003 : Column 300—continued
Mr. Hoon: I understand and share that concern, but there is no single, simple technological solution to the problem of friendly fire. I am sure that the PAC report does not suggest that there is. Indeed, the Tornado aircraft involved in the tragic accident the other day was
equipped with the latest combat identification system, similar to the one provided in US aircraft. There was no technological reason why such an appalling accident should have occurred: but occur it did, and we need to investigate the reasons, which cannot just be solved by some technological fix. We have to ensure that our procedures work effectively in high-intensity warfare. That also appears to be the position in relation to the tragic incident involving two of our Challenger tanks. Although they were equipped with appropriate identification equipment, unfortunately, in the heat of battle that was not necessarily the first thought in the tank that considered it was under attack and which reacted with tragic consequences.
Mr. Stephen McCabe (Birmingham, Hall Green): What are the rules of engagement for British forces undertaking humanitarian relief operations if they are attacked by Iraqi units who have been previously waving a white flag, or if they are attacked or threatened by republican guards dressed as civilians?
Mr. Hoon: It is not the practice of successive Governments to comment in detail on rules of engagement, but I assure my hon. Friend that the rules of engagement available to British forces are robust. They are certainly more than adequate to deal with that kind of situation.
Mr. David Cameron (Witney): Will the Secretary of State join me in paying tribute to the many personnel based at Brize Norton in my constituency who are playing their part in terms of transport, air-to-air refuelling and tactical communications? Does he agree that some of them may have to stay on after the war fighting has finished to help deliver humanitarian aid? Although we all hope for a clear UN mandate, does he agree that we have to prepare for all eventualities, including that of the mandate not being agreed? In those circumstances, could he have a word with the Secretary of State for International Development and explain to her that she must choose her words carefully? To talk about the British Army being an occupying force under international law, as she did in the Chamber an hour ago, is not particularly helpful. We must choose our words carefully at this difficult time.
Mr. Hoon: I have been a regular visitor to Brize Norton and know of the excellent support provided there not only to Secretaries of State for Defence but also to all those who pass through that excellent RAF facility.
It is important that we are able to put humanitarian aid in place. Initially, that will be as the result of efforts made by members of the military, by coalition forces delivering aid to secure areas. As my statement indicated, that is what we are currently working on.
Glenda Jackson (Hampstead and Highgate): Has the Iraqi regime been warned, as it was during the first Gulf war, that any use of chemical and biological weapons
would meet with a nuclear weapons response; and does such a response remain the policy of the British and American Governments?
Mr. Hoon: The Iraqi regime has certainly been warned that there would be very serious consequences in the event of its using weapons of mass destruction.
Mr. Jeffrey M. Donaldson (Lagan Valley): The Secretary of State will be aware of the contribution of hundreds of soldiers from Northern Ireland who are serving in the Gulf. We were all inspired by the remarks of Lt. Col. Tim Collins, the commanding officer of the 1st Battalion, the Royal Irish Regiment. Of course there are many other soldiers. I have a brother with the Royal Tank Regiment in southern Iraq, and it is an anxious time for families, as they await news of the conflict. Will the Secretary of State join me in praising the soldiers from the Territorial Army and the reserve forces—some of them from Northern Ireland—who are making a significant contribution to the efforts to liberate the people of Iraq?
Mr. Hoon: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for those remarks. During a number of visits to Northern Ireland, I have had occasion to see the Royal Irish Regiment in action, and it does a superb job on behalf of not only the people of Northern Ireland, but the whole of the United Kingdom. As someone who has visited the TA and reservists as they have come to Chilwell, close to my constituency, as part of their preparation for going to the Gulf and, indeed, elsewhere, I can testify personally to the enthusiasm and determination that they show in taking on sometimes very different tasks from those in their civilian lives.
Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford): May I associate myself with the condolences that have been expressed to the families of service people who have lost their lives? Is my right hon. Friend able to comment on the news that, I gather, is coming in about a day-light bombing of a marketplace in which civilians have lost their lives?
Mr. Hoon: I cannot confirm the responsibility for that incident. Certainly, a marketplace has never been targeted by coalition forces—nor will it be—but we will certainly continue to look at the ways in which we minimise civilian casualties.
Sir Sydney Chapman (Chipping Barnet): In his statement and in reply to an earlier question, the Secretary of State mentioned the 24-hour media reporting. Can he tell the House whether there are any restrictions of movement on reporters? Given that an ITN reporter was killed recently, ought there not to be such restrictions or, at least, very strong advice given to people following events?
Mr. Hoon: The main restriction placed on reporters relates to not identifying their location at times of military significance—not indicating how far their unit may have advanced—because that information is clearly of considerable value to the enemy. I have been very impressed by the way in which reporters have recognised that restriction and not sought in any way to abuse our confidence.
As far as the tragic death of Terry Lloyd and perhaps his crew is concerned, it has led news organisations to reflect on the dangers faced by new correspondents in such fast-moving conflicts. It is important that we do not further complicate the battlefield by having to have regard to reporters—however determined they may be to bring the story home—the precise location of whom we do not know.
Caroline Flint (Don Valley): I have no doubt that men and women in our forces are doing their utmost to prevent civilian casualties, but we are receiving reports that Saddam Hussein's forces are using civilians to confound us, putting their lives in severe danger. One report indicated that women and children were left in a Ba'ath party headquarters that had been used by Saddam's forces when the fighters had abandoned them. Will my right hon. Friend comment on those reports and that totally scandalous use of civilians in this conflict and assure me that any such report is recorded and guaranteed so that we can take account of it when the war is over?
Mr. Hoon: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. That is not a new tactic by Saddam Hussein's regime. It has long used civilians to prosecute its aims and, indeed, deliberately to invite coalition attacks on civilians to be able to publicise them subsequently, and we are well aware of schools, day-care facilities and hospitals constructed next to important military facilities for precisely that reason.
Richard Younger-Ross (Teignbridge): Returning to the situation in the north of Iraq, does the Secretary of State agree that Kurdish help in the liberation of places such as Kirkuk is endangered if Turkish forces are a distraction on their northern border? Will he make it clear that the Turks could make things a lot easier if they were to make it very clear that they will not go into northern Kurdistan? Can he confirm whether the Kurdish position has changed? A few years ago, I met the Kurdish leaders from the PUK and the KDP, who said that they wanted an autonomous region in Iraq, not independence.
Mr. Hoon: I emphasise that a main aim of the UK Government, which is shared by Kurdish forces in that area, is the preservation of the existing international borders of Iraq. That is why it is so important to preserve the stability in that sensitive northern area. We all know from our history how difficult is the combination of people in northern Iraq, and we necessarily have to handle that not only with sensitivity, but in full consultation with representatives of the Kurdish community, as well as our allies in Turkey.
Ms Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent, North): I thank the Secretary of State for the tribute that he paid to those members of the armed forces who have lost their lives.
Further to the question that I asked the Prime Minister this afternoon, can he assure the House that there will be an immediate and urgent investigation into the friendly fire involving the Challenger 2 tanks? May I also ask him about the medical contingency plans because I am aware that others were injured in that incident last night? Can he perhaps give the House a
little more detail about medical contingency plans, including convalescence for people who may have to return to the UK to convalesce before they are fully fit again?
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