HC Deb 22 December 1982 vol 34 cc537-8W
Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent by the South Atlantic fund in direct help to persons in each category of injury listed in his reply to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe, Official Report, 18 October, c. 50; and what is the average figure for a person in each category.

Mr. Wiggin

A total of £498,200 has been paid out to the injured from the South Atlantic fund as 258 separate interim payments, including to those who were injured and have subsequently left the Service. Payments have ranged from £300 to £20,000, and currently average £1,946. The payments are calculated according to the degree of seriousness of each injury.

Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been disbursed by the South Atlantic fund to the latest available date in direct payments to bereaved families and Service men who were disabled in the Falklands conflict; and what are the total remaining assets of the fund.

Mr. Wiggin

As at 16 December 1982 over £2.3 million has been disbursed in direct interim payments from the South Atlantic fund either to the next of kin of those who died or to the injured. The total assets of the fund remaining amount to about £10 million.