§ Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Defence what funds are set aside to cover the cost of the loss of Royal Air Force aircraft; and what third party cover is provided for compensating next-of-kin when airmen are killed or injured and for civilian casualties and their properties.
§ Mr. PattieNo funds are specifically set aside to procure new aircraft to replace losses as they occur. Aircraft are bought in numbers intended to be sufficient to sustain those required in operational service, and to replace those lost or damaged beyond repair.
It is not the practice for the Department to take out insurance in order to provide compensation for the victims of aircraft or other accidents involving the 232W Armed Services. Costs incurred by the Department as a result of any such accidents are met directly from the defence budget. In some cases involving death or injury to members of the Armed Services, the Department of Health and Social Security also has responsibility for the payment of pensions or gratuities.