§ Mr. Greenwayasked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps have been taken or are proposed with regard to financial support for those service men injured in the Hyde park and Regent's park bombings in July 1982; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StanleyAll the service men who were invalided from the Army as a result of injuries received in the Hyde park and Regent's park bombings have received either a pension or a lump sum or both from the Ministry of Defence under the armed forces pension scheme and also either a pension or a lump sum from the Department of142W Health and Social Security under its war pensions scheme. The level of these benefits, which are tax-free, depends on degree of disability.
These service men are also entitled to apply for compensation under the criminal injuries compensation scheme. I understand that the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board received applications from 46 service men, that 28 cases have been finalised and that interim awards have been made in the remainder. My Department is ready to give all possible assistance to the injured service men in pursuing their applications to the board, and has been doing so in those cases where our assistance has been requested.