To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the terms of reference were of HM Inspectorate of Constabulary’s thematic review of the Royal Military Police Special Investigation Branch; what the target date is for completion; and what arrangements he plans to make for publication. (79880)

The terms of reference for the Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) inspection of the Royal Military Police (RMP) Special Investigations Branch (SIB) are as follows:

(a) To inspect SIB specialist policing functions in the investigation of major and serious crimes, including investigations conducted on operations, and to identify any areas for improvement (in the context of current good practice, where applicable).

(b) To identify any other transferable good practice emerging from inspection.

(c) To alert Deputy Provost Marshal (Investigations) of any issues that may impact upon the conduct of a live investigation.

(d) To deliver a draft report to the Provost Marshal (Army) for his consideration on behalf of the Adjutant-General and Director General Security and Safety.

(e) To deliver a final report for the attention of the same.

The inspection of the RMP SIB started on 1 April 2006 and the HMIC is due to provide a report by 31 July 2006.

The final report will be published, both in hard copy and on the HMIC website.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the merits of bringing the Royal Military Police Special Investigations Branch under the oversight of the Independent Police Complaints Commission. (79881)

The Royal Military Police (RMP) Special Investigations Branch (SIB) has a minimal interface with the general public in comparison to their civilian counterparts. As a result, complaints by third parties unconnected to the armed forces about the conduct of the RMP (SIB) are far less likely to occur. We do not therefore consider it appropriate for the RMP (SIB) to be brought under the oversight of the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

However, a comprehensive redress of complaints system exists for all service personnel, including service police personnel, who wish to complain or express a grievance about any matter related to their service. Improvements were proposed under the Armed Forces Bill which included a redress panel system where panels would include an external, independent member for certain types of complaints, and an external reviewer focusing on process, delay, fairness, and the effectiveness of the procedure, and providing recommendations for improvements where necessary. Further to the Deepcut Review, we plan to extend the role of the external reviewer, renamed the Service Complaints Commissioner, who would have statutory powers to receive a complaint or allegation from a service person, family or other third party, to place it in the hands of the chain of command and to be notified of the outcome. The Commissioner would have direct access to Ministers and would publish an annual report on the complaints process.

These proposed arrangements will now be subject to the full process of parliamentary scrutiny in the context of the remaining stages of the Armed Forces Bill’s passage through Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what training is available to members of the Royal Military Police in the conduct of European Convention of Human Rights Article 2—compliant investigations into an overseas death in barracks. (79884)

Members of the Royal Military Police (RMP) Special Investigation Branch (SIB) follow standard police investigative procedures and receive training that conforms to UK Home Office standards, modified to take account of the Military Criminal Justice System. As such, both their training, either basic or continuation, and their investigative techniques, are compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights.