§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much money he has paid in compensation to service personnel in each of the last five years; how many personnel received payments; and if he will make a statement. [127175]
§ Dr. MoonieThe amount and number of common law compensation paid to Service personnel or their dependants for injuries sustained or death during service in each of the past five financial years is as follows:
Year £ million Cases settled 1995–96 12.1 235 1996–97 14.5 348 1997–98 25.3 369 1998–99 26.7 412 1999–2000 31.0 490 In addition to the increase year on year in the number of claims settled, the general level of payments has increased in accordance with case law above the rate of inflation.