HC Deb 19 November 1991 vol 199 cc150-1W
Mr. Ashley

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what are the criteria for establishing a board of inquiry for accidents to service personnel during training; and if such inquiries are set up in every case of death or serious disablement;

(2) if he will appoint a military ombudsman with responsibility for investigating complaints of Ministry of Defence secrecy from families of service personnel who die on training exercises.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The rules governing the convening and conduct of boards of inquiry are contained in Queen's regulations for the three services. While it is not mandatory to convene a formal board of inquiry in every case, all deaths or serious accidents in service are subject to an internal investigation either by a formal service inquiry or by the service police. We have no plans to appoint a military ombudsman.

Mr. Ashley

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) in how many cases of death of service personnel during training in each of the past five years have(a) families requested a full report of the board of inquiry and (b) his Ministry have not complied with this request;

(2) how many complaints have been received in the last five years from the families of service personnel, who died during training, about inadequate information concerning the deaths.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The information is not available in the form requested.

Mr. Ashley

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will issue new policy guidelines to commanding officers requiring them to provide maximum information with the minimum of delay to families of service personnel who die during training exercises.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The services have detailed regulations, governing the action to be taken in the event of injury or death to service personnel.

Mr. Ashley

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel have(a) died and (b) been injured during training in each of the last five years.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The number of deaths and injuries attributable to training or exercises in the three services in each of the last five years is set out in the table.

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990
Deaths 19 14 15 22 7
Injuries 1,219 1,131 1,140 896 779

Notes:

1. The figures for injuries relate to episodes of bedded sickness of 48 hours or more.

2. The figures include sports injuries sustained by personnel while specifically training or on exercises.

Mr. Ashley

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence by what authority his Ministry declines to disclose to families details of the deaths of service personnel during peacetime training.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The Ministry of Defence has always provided details of the deaths of service personnel killed during training in response to a request from the bereaved family. This information takes the form of a specially prepared statement giving an accurate and objective summary of the service investigation.

Mr. Ashley

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will ensure that families of service personnel who die on training exercises are provided on request with full medical records of a deceased person, including the autopsy report.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Requests for the release of medical records will be considered on their merits in accordance with the Access to Health Records Act 1990.

Mr. Ashley

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guidance is given to commanding officers regarding providing information to the families of service personnel who die in training exercises.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Procedures for the notification and assistance of next-of-kin on the death of service personnel are laid down in the regulations of each service.