HC Deb 02 December 2002 vol 395 cc484-5W
Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what proportion of victims of suicide and self-inflicted death in Her Majesty's armed forces were involved at the time of their death in disciplinary proceedings(a) as a witness and (b) facing charges; and how many of these victims had (i) gone AWOL and (ii) sought or received counselling in the six months prior to their death. [83813]

Dr. Moonie

Given the small numbers of suicides and self inflicted deaths in the armed forces each year, I have concluded that release into the public domain of the information requested would breach the rules of anonymity and confidentiality for the families of the individuals concerned. I am therefore withholding the information under Exemption 12 (Privacy of an Individual) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many boards of inquiry have been established to examine deaths in each of the HM armed services since 1990; what statistical information is compiled about the work of the boards; and in what form the recommendations of the boards are (a) collected and (b) communicated to officers who may need to act upon them. [84872]

Dr. Moonie

The information requested is not immediately available. I will, therefore, write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.