§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many members of the armed forces deployed on Operation Palliser are in a medically downgraded category; what percentage of forces deployed on Operation Palliser this represents; and if he will make a statement; [147562]
(2) how many members of the armed forces who serviced on Operation Palliser are categorised as medically downgraded; and if he will make a statement. [148377]
§ Dr. Moonie[holding answer 2 February 2001]: Some 4,500 armed forces personnel deployed to Sierra Leone on Operation Palliser. It is not possible to identify, from the information currently available, the number of Royal Navy personnel who deployed on any operation to Sierra Leone who are currently medically downgraded. However, of the approximate 2,100 Army and RAF personnel who deployed to Sierra Leone at the time of Operation Palliser, 54 are currently medically downgraded. This represents 2.5 per cent. of the Army/RAF personnel who deployed.