HC Deb 16 October 1996 vol 282 cc920-1W
Mr. Galbraith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 16 May to the hon. Member for South Shields (Dr Clark),Official Report, column 559, if he will break down the number of suicides in the armed forces by (a) year and (b) service for each year since 1991. [40767]

Mr. Soames

Since January 1991 the total number of service personnel who have been confirmed as committing suicide is 130, which is broken down as follows:

Year Army Royal Navy1 RAF
1991 22 5 7
1992 19 6 5
1993 18 1 4
1994 17 6 5
1995 12 1 2
1 Includes the Royal Marines.

Figures are not yet available for 1996.

The total figure given in the answer to the hon. Member for South Shields of 16 May, Official Report, column 559, was 135. This original figure has subsequently been amended to reflect the rulings of coroners courts.