HC Deb 18 June 1982 vol 25 c360W
Mr. Stephen Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will institute a free-of-charge parcel service, subject to maximum weight limitation, to all forces serving in the South Atlantic.

Mr. Wiggin

No. Although the "Forces aerogramme" special letter forms are carried to and from the South Atlantic theatre free of charge, to do the same for packages and parcels would impose an unreasonable burden on our severely stretched means of resupply. We are, however, providing a parcel service to the task force at the equivalent of United Kingdom inland rates, which represents a concession some 80 per cent. below the normal postal tariff to the Falklands.

Mr. Marlow

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish a breakdown of the fatal casualties in the Falklands campaign by (a) Service, including Marines and the Merchant Navy and (b) cause of death, namely (i) Argentine air attack, (ii) Argentine ground forces, (iii) accident and (iv) others.

Mr. Blaker

The latest available figures are as follows:

Royal Navy 85
Royal Marines 26
Army 124
Royal Air Force 1
Others 19
Total 255
It is not possible at this stage to provide figures showing the cause of death.

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