Asked by: Lord Thomas of Gresford (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many claims for damages relating to alleged misconduct by UK Armed Forces personnel serving overseas have been made in each year since 2003; what percentage of these claims have been settled; what was the (1) total, and (2) average, cost of such settlements; and whether any (a) current, or (b) former, member of the UK Armed Forces has been required to contribute to settlement costs.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
Since 2003, Her Majesty's Government has received in excess of 1,330 claims for damages relating to alleged misconduct by UK Armed Forces personnel serving overseas. These claims arise from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and the Cyprus Emergency in the late 1950s.
The claims received focus predominately on alleged unlawful detention but many incorporate allegations of mistreatment at the hands of British military personnel. Any payment of compensation in settlement of claims received would have been made by the Ministry of Defence.
We are currently unable to provide with certainty a breakdown of the claims as requested due to the current restrictions and lack of access to data. The process of collating the information will take some time and will require going through historical records. In addition, any information provided would be on a provisional basis as confirmation would require cross-reference with paper records.
Asked by: Lord Thomas of Gresford (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their policy on the investigation of claims for damages relating to alleged misconduct by UK Armed Forces personnel serving overseas.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
All claims received are considered under the principles of common law and dealt with on a strict legal liability case. If, following an investigation, it is found that there is substance to the allegations and there has been negligence on our part, compensation is paid. This pertains to any claim regardless of the location.