HC Deb 22 January 1993 vol 217 cc463-4W
Mr. Alison

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his broad estimate as to the numbers of potential beneficiaries, including widows and dependent children, who might be eligible to apply for help from the Gulf trust fund.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Those who are entitled to be beneficiaries of the Gulf trust fund are defined in the trust deed as members of Her Majesty's armed forces involved in military and other operations relating to or in connection with the Gulf conflict, the civilian personnel attached to or accompanying such members of Her Majesty's armed forces and their respective dependants. On this basis the number of potential beneficiaries from those who served in theatre alone is some 43,500 service and civilian personnel as well as their dependants. Those who have already received assistance from the fund may require further financial help and stress and trauma-related cases may not emerge for a number of years.