§ Mr. MartlewTo ask the Secretary of State for defence how many service personnel have been seconded to outside organisations from each of the services in each of the last five years; if he will list these organisations and the roles undertaken; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonNo Royal Navy or Army personnel have been seconded to outside civilian organisations in the last five financial years.
RAF personnel have been seconded to British Aerospace to provide specialist operational, maintenance and support services in connection with the company's contract with the Royal Saudi Air Force, as follows:
Number 1988–89 107 1989–90 127 1990–91 116 1991–92 52 1992–93 36
§ Mr. MartlewTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guidelines cover terms and conditions of employment of service personnel who go on secondment to outside organisations; what insurance conditions apply to them; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe terms and conditions of employment of service personnel seconded to civilian organisations are normally set out in memoranda of understanding between my Department and the organisation concerned. My Department does not purchase insurance to cover service personnel. Those on secondment are in the same position as they are when serving with British forces; they are able to claim compensation from any party, including my Department and the organisation to which they are seconded, if they are injured due to the negligence of that party. In addition, they remain eligible for invaliding benefits payable under the armed forces pension scheme.