§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the total number of (a) Service personnel and (b) members of the Merchant Marine still in hospital as a result of wounds in the Falklands conflict; how many have experienced severe burning; how many have lost limbs, hearing or their sight; and what arrangements are made for financial assistance and compensation, whether in conjunction with voluntary agencies or by the Government direct;
(2) what was the total number of (a) Her Majesty's Forces and (b) members of the Merchant Marine who sustained injuries during the Falklands conflict, other than superficial injuries treated in field hospitals, which required significant treatment in a hospital ship and subsequent repatriation; how many have since been discharged from United Kingdom hospitals; how many of these remain fit for active service, following treatment; how many will be unable to continue in the service owing to the gravity of their wounds; and what are the arrangements for compensation for those discharged as a result of their wounds in the service of their country.
§ Mr. Blaker446 Service personnel and four merchant seamen sustained injuries requiring significant treatment and have been repatriated to United Kingdom hospitals. Of these, 340 Service personnel have now left hospital. So far, 42 of the Service personnel are fit for active service. It is too soon to say how many will be unable to continue to serve.
106 Service personnel and four merchant seamen remain in United Kingdom hospitals as a result of wounds sustained in the Falklands conflict. Of these 18 Service men have experienced severe burning, six have lost limbs, two have lost their sight, and five have sustained serious head injuries which may result in the loss of sight or loss of the use of limbs.
A Service man who is invalided for reasons directly attributable to his service receives both a tax-free lump sum payment and tax-free index-linked pensions from both the Ministry of Defence and the Department of Health and Social Security. The amounts will depend upon the length of service, salary, and the extent of disability. For example, a private with a 100 per cent. disability with five years' service over the age of 18 would receive a tax-free lump sum of £5,438 and tax-free pensions totalling £3,966; a warrant officer I with a 50 per cent. disability with 20 years' service would receive a tax-free lump sum of £13,000 and tax-free pensions totalling £4,700.
A merchant seaman would also receive a DHSS war disability pension—if he was a United Kingdom national—and, under National. Maritime Board arrangements, a lump sum paid by his employer depending on the 165W degree of his disability. A rating with 100 per cent. disability would receive £26,000. In addition, individual employers may have arrangements to provide additional benefit.
The Service charities can provide additional financial assistance in cases of need or hardship to both Service personnel and merchant seamen, and their dependants. Where this is caused by the Falklands operation such assistance will be paid for out of the South Atlantic fund.
§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the International Red Cross has brought to the notice of the Government any alleged breaches of the Geneva convention, either by Her Majesty's Government or by the Argentines during the Falklands conflict; and whether any issues have arisen regarding the return to the battlefield of members of Her Majesty's forces returned to the United Kingdom by Argentina after the initial invasion of the Falklands.
§ Mr. BlakerTo both parts of the question the answer is "No".
§ Mr. Alan Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many instances have been verified by forces at Port Stanley of breaches of the Geneva convention concerning the marking of buildings with a red cross; and if he will identify the uses to which buildings so marked were being put.
§ Mr. BlakerNo instances have yet been confirmed; inquiries are still in hand.
§ Mr. Ray Powellasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Service men were injured in the Falklands war; and what was the extent of injuries in each case.
§ Mr. BlakerSeven hundred and fifty-nine Service personnel suffered non-fatal injuries in the Falkland Islands conflict. Details of the categories of their injuries have not been compiled. I shall write to the hon. Member when more information is available.