| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
Suicides
Mr. Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the annual suicide rate is of active service members of (a) the Army, (b) the Royal Navy and (c) the Royal Air Force in each year since 1989, stating in each case (i) the number of suicides and (ii) the number of attempted suicides recorded classified by rank; what measures have been taken to improve the armed forces' approach to preventing suicide; and if he will make a statement. [126902]
Dr. Moonie: Since 1 January 1989 there have been 285 recorded suicides in the Armed Forces. A breakdown of this number by Service and rank is given in the tables 1 . Information on the number of attempted suicides is not recorded.
- 1 The information is as recorded up to 16 June 2000. Figures are for those cases of self-inflicted death recorded as suicide by a Coroner's Court. The information covers regular Armed Forces personnel including Gurkhas. It does not include Territorial Army, Reserve forces, Foreign Service personnel or the Gibraltar Regiment.
23 Jun 2000 : Column: 319W
| Rank | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 19960 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commander | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Lieutenant (RM) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Midshipman | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Warrant Officer (RM) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Charge Chief Petty Officer | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Chief Petty Officer | 4 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 14 |
| Colour Sergeant (RM) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Petty Officer | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Sergeant (RM) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Leading Rate | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Corporal (RM) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Ableseaman | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Marine 1 (RM) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Ordinary Rate | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | 4 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 43 |
| Rate per 1,000 Strength | 0.06 | 0.13 | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.02 | 0.11 | 0.02 | 0.11 | 0.04 | 0.00 | 0.09 | -- | -- |
| Average Strength (thousands) | 64.2 | 62.7 | 62.3 | 61.5 | 58.4 | 54.4 | 50.2 | 47.2 | 44.8 | 44.2 | 43.5 | -- | -- |
23 Jun 2000 : Column: 319W
23 Jun 2000 : Column: 319W
23 Jun 2000 : Column: 321W
23 Jun 2000 : Column: 321W
For most age groups (including the vulnerable group of single males below the age of 25) rates of intentionally self-inflicted death (ISID) are no higher than in the civilian population. All three Services take the problem seriously and have measures in place, both within and independently of the chain of command, to enable vulnerable individuals to seek help. These include procedures for putting people in touch with voluntary organisations and access to help lines (including the Samaritans). Service personnel can also seek help and advice from unit welfare officers, the Defence Medical Service, and from their chaplain.
Commanders and managers are provided with awareness training, so that they are aware of the various sources of advice and help available for vulnerable people under their command. All three Services convene formal Boards of Inquiry following self-inflicted deaths to examine the circumstances and to assess whether steps can be taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Compensation
Mr. Hancock: To 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. Moonie: The 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.
23 Jun 2000 : Column: 322W
Departmental Land
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to open up his Department's land for recreational use by the general public. [127230]
Dr. Moonie: There is already a presumption in favour of public access to the Defence Estate, subject to operational safety, security and conservation considerations. The recently published Defence Estate Strategy, "In Trust and on Trust", which was launched by the Secretary of State for Defence on 7 June, both reiterates this presumption and our commitment to future public access. Furthermore, it includes an assurance that the byelaws in force under the Military Lands Act 1892 and 1900 will be kept under review to ensure that access opportunities are not restricted unnecessarily. A copy of the strategy was placed in the Library of the House. The Ministry of Defence has also published a booklet entitled "Walks on MOD Land". This has recently been revised, and I anticipate that an expanded edition will be issued around the end of this year.
Written Questions
Mr. Maclennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many written parliamentary questions were tabled to his Department between 19 October 1999 and 20 April 2000; and how many have not received substantive answers, citing disproportionate cost as the reason. [127440]
Dr. Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |