HC Deb 21 January 1994 vol 235 cc935-6W
Mr. Nigel Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what medical provision is provided on board Royal Navy(a) aircraft carriers, (b) landing ships,

Female officers Non-commissioned females
Financial year Royal Navy Army Royal Air Force Royal Navy Army Royal Air Force Total
1979–80 4 13 7 55 174 162 415
1980–81 6 13 13 72 185 179 468
1981–82 11 21 23 84 250 186 575
1982–83 8 15 16 95 208 186 528
1983–84 5 9 12 103 179 161 469
1984–85 6 14 12 113 195 175 515
1985–86 6 13 15 100 226 156 516
1986–87 6 10 18 104 176 151 465
1987–88 7 15 16 125 205 186 554
1988–89 3 12 18 86 143 160 442
1989–90 4 14 15 84 157 157 431

(c) destroyers, (d) frigates, (e) minesweepers, (f) mine-hunters, (g) patrol boats and (h) other small craft in terms of qualified doctors, nurses and other staff.

Mr. Hanley

The information requested is as follows:

  1. (a) Aircraft Carriers
    • 2×Medical Officers—1 surgeon, 1 anaesthetist
    • 1×Dental Officer
    • 1×Operating Department Assistant
    • 1×Laboratory Technician
    • 6×Medical Assistants
  2. (b) Landing Ships
    • 1×Medical Officer
    • 1×Dental Officer
    • 7×Medical Assistants

(c) Destroyers and Frigates

The complements of all destroyers and frigates include a medical assistant; in addition, vessels designated to lead destroyer or frigate squadrons and those operating independently, or on directed tasks, carry a medical officer.

(d) Minesweepers, Minehunters, Patrol Boats and Other Small Craft

These ships are classed as minor war vessels and carry no dedicated medical personnel, but all minor war vessels Coxswains undergo special first aid training at the Royal Naval medical staff school.