§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will ensure that in future Royal Army Medical Corps display teams do not put artificial wounds made of wax and dye on members of the general public and that such activities are confined in future to service men.
§ Mr. ButlerNo. The application of simulated wounds to volunteer members of the general public is a major attraction of Royal Army Medical Corps displays and provides realistic practice for members of the corps.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether it is normal practice for Royal Army Medical Corps display teams visiting fairgrounds and open days to put realistic artificial bullet wounds on the arms of children under the age of 10 years.
§ Mr. ButlerSimulated wounds are only applied to children under the age of 10 years with the express and personal approval of an accompanying parent or adult.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether men of the Royal Army Medical Corps display team sought to obtain the permission of parents before placing realistic artificial bullet wounds on the arms of children at St. George's park, Wandsworth, on 13 and 14 July.
§ Mr. ButlerRoyal Army Medical Corps recruiting and display teams are instructed to obtain the permission of an accompanying parent or adult before applying simulated wounds to children, and I am advised that these instructions were observed on the occasion referred to by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has received any complaints about the Royal Army Medical Corps display teams.
§ Mr. ButlerNo.