HC Deb 03 June 1991 vol 192 cc124-5W
Mr. Sayeed

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is satisfied with the liaison between his Department and the Department of Social Security when dealing with cases such as that of No. 24754102 Lance Corporal J. Ray, Grenadier Guards, who sustained serious injuries during training; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

I am satisfied with the liaison between the MOD and the DSS, which is kept under review.

Mr. Sayeed

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the full report of the board of inquiry instituted to investigate the circumstances that led to No. 24754102 Lance Corporal J. Ray, Grenadier Guards, and two others sustaining injuries as a result of an explosion on the Suffield training area, Canada on 7 July 1989 or as much as will illuminate the unclassified summary of investigations dated 19 February 1991 in respect of whether Lance Corporal J. Ray or others were advised as to the possibility of buried unexploded munitions; and what precautions they were advised to take.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Board of inquiry reports are internal Ministry of Defence documents produced to enable the appropriate authorities to ascertain the cause of an accident or incident and to take steps to prevent its recurrence. As such they are confidential to the Department. A summary of the board of inquiry report into the tragic accident which occurred on the Suffield range on 7 July 1989 has been sent to solicitors acting for Lance Corporal John Ray. This summary includes the comment of the board of inquiry that the three soldiers were adequately briefed for the task they were undertaking when the accident occurred.

Forward to