§ Mr. BarnesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many claims have been made to the Veterans' Agency for post traumatic stress disorder-related illnesses attributed to service in Northern Ireland since 1973; [142741]
(2) how many war pensions are being paid to members of the armed forces injured during their service in Northern Ireland. [142745]
§ Mr. CaplinThe information is not available in the format requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. BarnesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Northern Ireland veterans have taken their own lives(a) after and (b) during their service in Northern Ireland since 1973. [142742]
§ Mr. CaplinBetween 1984 and 2002 there have been 45 deaths among Regular Service personnel serving in Northern Ireland recorded with a suicide verdict or an open verdict from a coroner. During this period there were three other deaths among Regular Service personnel serving in Northern Ireland for whom we are waiting for a coroner's verdict. Information on deaths prior to 1984 is not held centrally. Information on other Service personnel who may have served in Northern Ireland, but died in Service elsewhere is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Information on deaths of Service personnel after they have left the Service is also not generally available to the Ministry of Defence.
§ Mr. BarnesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reports he has received from associations or organisations specifically set up to support Northern Ireland veterans. [142860]
§ Mr. CaplinThe Ministry of Defence has not received any reports from organisations specifically set up to support Northern Ireland veterans. The recently formed Northern Ireland Veterans Association has been invited to attend the next Veterans Plenary Forum on 24 March 2004 which I chair as Minister for Veterans.