§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Defence what figures are available for the number of accidents and deaths resulting from the use of adventure training methods by the Armed Forces; if he will examine the value of such training methods; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. William RodgersAdventure training, which includes mountaineering, sub-aqua diving, free fall parachuting and dinghy sailing, is designed to develop qualities of fitness, endurance, self reliance, initiative and teamwork. It plays an important part in the training programme of all three Services. Although safety precautions are kept under careful review, this form of training inevitably involves some risk. In the past five years, over a quarter of a million Service men have taken part in this training. There have regrettably been 22 fatal accidents and some 15 cases of serious injury.