§ Q55. Mr. Churchillasked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement about the disbursement of funds from the South Atlantic fund to those charities responsible for distributing money to those injured or disabled in the Falklands campaign.
§ The Prime MinisterNone of those injured or disabled has yet been medically discharged from the Armed Forces or Merchant Navy, and those still on sick leave are continuing to receive at least basic pay. To meet their immediate extra commitments the trustees of the South Atlantic fund have paid £1.5 million to the principal Service charities, Service dependent's fund and Service amenity 107W fund. Commanding officers have been encouraged to ensure that cases of need are brought to the attention of those organisations. The trustees have paid £1.9 million to meet the immediate needs of the relatives of those killed. All charities, in any way connected with Service men—some 200—have been asked to assist with all cases that come to their notice and to seek reimbursement from the South Atlantic fund. The trustees have also set in motion a scheme whereby the long-term needs of all those who have suffered will be met from the fund so that, as far as possible, those affected will lead the kind of lives they might have expected to lead had the conflict not taken place.