§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence what aftercare facilities are provided by his Department for military personnel maimed, burned and blinded in the Falklands war; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StanleyThose service personnel who were injured in the Falkland Islands conflict received from service sources whatever medical treatment was necessary. It is the services' policy to find alternative employment within the service for anyone who becomes unfit for the role for which they are trained, if it is possible to do so. If it is necessary for someone to be medically discharged, this would normally only be done after any necessary medical rehabilitation, and they would receive help in their resettlement into civilian life. Medical treatment thereafter would be the responsibility of the civilian authorities.
Ex-service personnel who had been invalided for a disability attributable to their service in the Armed Forces would be eligible to receive a disability pension from the Department of Health and Social Security as well as an occupational pension from my Department. Following medical discharge, aftercare is available to ex-service personnel either from their service, or from the ex-service charities which provide help and advice where necessary.