§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel in total have served with the armed forces in Northern Ireland since troops were deployed there in 1969; how many have been killed and injured in the course of their duties; how many are receiving war pensions as a result of injuries sustained in Northern Ireland; and how many widows are receiving pensions where bereavement is attributable to tours of duty in Northern Ireland. [150584]
§ Mr. SpellarSince August 1969, the total number of soldiers who have served at least one day in Northern Ireland is 310,831, while the total number of officers who have served at least one day in Northern Ireland is 28,2821. In the case of the Royal Air Force 2,233 officers and 24,236 airmen/airwomen are recorded as having received pay while serving in Northern Ireland and will, therefore, have served at least one month in Province. Comparable information for the Royal Navy is not available.
The number of service personnel who have lost their lives since August 1969 in connection with their military duties and responsibilities in Northern Ireland is detailed in the table.
Number Army2 651 RN3 11 RAF3 4
Date Duties 30 April 2000 A Company-Exercise Red Stripe in Jamaica 7–26 May 2000 Operation Palliser in Sierra Leone 31 July-4 August 2000 Arms plot move to Dover 2–20 September 2000 A Company-Operation Barras Sierra Leone October-December 2000 Northern Ireland Training December 2000 Rural Roulement Bn (Northern Ireland)-two Companies are in Northern Ireland They are engaged on a variety of Infantry Training duties.