§ Mr. WinnickTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 25 June to the hon. Member for Bristol, East (Mr. Sayeed), what action had been taken, or will be taken, to prevent the recurrence of the accident in July 1989 to the Grenadier Guardsmen, Hicks, Povey and Ray; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThere are comprehensive arrangements for ensuring the safety of soldiers during live-firing exercises. The board of inquiry into this tragic accident considered that
no amount of procedures, order, practices or briefings could have prevented the accidentand thatthe accident represents one of the dangers associated with training with live ammunition on any training range".
§ Mr. WinnickTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to ensure that the pension arrangements of Guardsman Hicks will be adequate for his housing, transport facilities and other capital needs.
§ Mr. Archie Hamilton[holding answer 28 June 1991]: Mr. Hicks is receiving a pension under the armed forces pension scheme and a war disablement pension at the 100 per cent. rate, plus clothing allowance and mobility supplement; the latter is to help specifically with the extra cost of getting about. In addition, constant attendance allowance and comforts allowance have been awarded. I understand that he is also receiving unemployment benefit. These payments total over £260 tax-free per week. He has also received lump sum payments under the armed forces pension scheme totalling £6,501.69.