§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many training accidents have occurred in the Army in the last five years for which figures are available, broken down by(a) deaths, (b) serious injuries and (c) injuries; [176020]
(2) what definition he uses of a road traffic accident for the purposes of statistical recording; and, in the past two years, what proportion of deaths through road traffic accidents involved service personnel (a) on exercise, (b) on regular duties and (c) off duty. [176021]
§ Mr. CaplinThe reporting of vehicle related accidents within the Ministry of Defence is based upon the following: the accident involves injury; a third party; or Ministry of Defence vehicles and equipment only. Those accidents resulting in a fatality or injury to any individual or those which involve a third party are regarded as road traffic accidents (as defined in law). Those which result in damage to military vehicles only are classified as incidents.
590WDuring the period 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2003, Ministry of Defence units and establishments reported a total of 10,363 road traffic accidents and 7,113 incidents. There were 118 Service fatalities; of these, seven were on operations/exercise and a further 14 on other duties. There were 97 off duty Service fatalities during this period. Details of accidents involving vehicles privately owned by Service personnel are not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.