§ 2. Mr. Loveridgeasked the Minister of State for Defence what would be the cost of insuring volunteer members of the Armed Forces for sums of £1,000, £5,000 and £10,000 against death, and, separately, the cost of accident insurance against injuries sustained while undergoing training for periods of up to 28 days.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Royal Navy (Mr. Antony Buck)All members of the Armed Forces are volunteers, but I believe my hon. Friend's Question relates to volunteers in the Reserve forces. As my hon. Friend was told on 18th November 1971, it is not the practice for the Crown to insure, and I fear that the figures he asks for are not available.—[Vol. 826, c. 183.]
§ Mr. LoveridgeWhile I am sorry that my hon. Friend cannot give me the sample quotations required, none the less I ask him to consider extending to the Reserve forces the welcome new contributory insurance scheme that is available to Regular members of the forces.
§ Mr. BuckI think that the scheme my hon. Friend has in mind is a non-public scheme operated on a voluntary contribution basis. However, I will consult the trustees to see whether members of the Reserve forces can participate.