HC Deb 09 May 1990 vol 172 cc136-8W
Mr. Ashley

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the units which provide parachute training; and if he will give for each the numbers trained.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Around 60 units provide parachute training, but I am not able to give further information on security grounds.

Mr. Ashley

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will outline the preliminary training given to trainee parachutists for them to acquire the L5 landing certificate.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The syllabus of training for Regular Army personnel attending No. 1 parachute training school (PTS) for basic parachute training allocates approximately two and a half hours to achieve the appropriate level of competence in landing techniques to commence "L5" training. The TA soldier is required to have achieved this level of ability prior to commencement of training at No. 1 PTS and is given instruction, at unit level, by an appropriate detachment parachute jumping instructor.

The precise length of training will vary according to the abilities of the trainee. No trainee is permitted to parachute unless the instructor is satisfied with his level of ability in all respects.

Mr. Ashley

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many accidents and deaths occurred during parachute training at Brize Norton in 1989.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

In 1989, 1,704 Regular and TA troops completed static line parachute training at No. 1 parachute training school, Brize Norton and carried out 12,310 descents. There were a total of 97 injuries including one fatality. Over half of these injuries were minor enough to allow trainees to return to parachute training within a week.

Mr. Ashley

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what ways medication given to parachute trainees is monitored to check that no medication which might impair reactions is given in the period before a jump; and on what occasions such medication was given to a parachute trainee at Brize Norton in 1989.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

A parachute trainee who has reported sick will not recommence training until he has been certified fit to do so by the medical officer, and any medication thought likely to impair reactions will necessitate withdrawal from training for an appropriate period. It is essential for any trainee feeling ill to report the matter before undergoing further parachute training.

Mr. Ashley

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what procedure is adopted if parachute trainees report sick.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Arrangements to see the medical officer will be made for trainees reporting sick. The trainee is briefed to return the appropriate medical form to the course flight sergeant after examination, with the medical officer's written comments.

Mr. Ashley

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what medical checks are made on parachute trainees during their training and before their jumps.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Unless a trainee reports sick, indicates to an instructor that he is sick, or displays some infirmity which is recognised by the training staff, no medical checks will be carried out. Each individual arrives with a medical certificate declaring his fitness to undergo training. It must be the responsibility of the individual to declare any lack of fitness to continue which may not be readily noticeable.

Mr. Ashley

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many of the parachute trainees at Brize Norton in 1989 who arrived without an L5 landing certificate were(a) given a certificate without the training for it, (b) given training at the base to enable them to acquire the certificates and (c) sent home;

(2) how many of the parachute trainees going to Brize Norton in 1989 had with them an L5 landing certificate on arrival; and how many of these were the result of training given by Brize Norton staff instructors at other bases.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The vast majority of trainees arriving at Brize Norton will have possessed a L5 certificate. None would have been allowed to commence parachute training without proof of their competence to do so and none would have been provided with a L5 certificate without undergoing the training required. The further information requested in the hon. Member's questions has not been recorded.