HC Deb 22 May 1973 vol 857 cc35-6W
Mr. Loveridge

asked the Minister of State for Defence if the recently announced improved benefits for members of the Armed Forces and their dependants, in cases of invaliding and death attributable to service, will be payable to the next-of-kin of volunteer members of the Armed Services who are debarred from making a claim against the Crown owing to Section 10 of the Crown Proceedings Act 1947

Mr. Ian Gilmour

The improvements announced in my answer to the hon.

Month Protestant Roman Catholic Other Denominations Total
February … … … … 121 10 1 132
March … … … … 164 1 3 168
April … … … … 107 7 4 118
May (up to 18th) … … … 77 4 — 81

Mr. Maginnis

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he is satisfied that all officers and men of the Ulster Defence Regiment have sufficient personal weapons for ensuring their safety when off duty.

Mr. Blaker

Yes; but if the hon. Member is concerned about a particular case, no doubt he will write to me.

Mr. Maginnis

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many members of the Ulster Defence Regiment have been dismissed, and for what reasons, from the regiment in February, March and April, respectively.

Mr. Blaker

Dismissal is not a term used within the regulations, but the number of men who have been discharged administratively is as follows: February, 96; March, 130; April, 138.

Apart from cases where men have left at the end of their current engagement, the categories into which these discharges fall include: failing to fulfil training oblgation; services no longer required; failing to meet medical standards; and conviction by the civil power.

Member for Harrow, East (Mr. Dykes) on 2nd May are part of the Armed Forces occupational pension scheme and apply only to members of the Regular Forces. I intend to consider the position of members of the Reserve Forces.—[Vol. 855, c. 317ߝ318.]