To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give the figures for the number of deaths and serious injuries that were sustained as a result of participation in Royal Marine training courses or exercises in 1988, 1987, 1986 and 1985.
Figures for deaths and serious injuries attributable to Royal Marine training courses and exercises in the years 1985 to 1988 are as follows:
| Year | Deaths | Serious injuries |
| 1985 | 2 | — |
| 1986 | 1 | 2 |
| 1987 | — | 2 |
| 1988 | 1 | — |
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the number of fatalities from all causes that have occurred in military exercises and training in each year since 1978.
The tri-service deaths attributable to training and exercise injuries from 1978 to the last year for which firm figures are available (1988) are as follows:
| Year | Royal Navy and Royal Marines | Army | Royal Air Force | Total |
| 1978 | 1 | 26 | 10 | 37 |
| 1979 | 4 | 14 | 3 | 21 |
| 1980 | 9 | 16 | 4 | 29 |
| 1981 | 5 | 13 | 6 | 24 |
| 1982 | 5 | 17 | 10 | 32 |
| 1983 | 3 | 10 | 13 | 26 |
| 1984 | 2 | 16 | 2 | 20 |
| 1985 | 2 | 10 | 7 | 19 |
| 1986 | 1 | 16 | 2 | 19 |
| 1987 | — | 10 | 4 | 14 |
| 1988 | 1 | 10 | 4 | 15 |
| Overall Total 256 |
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South, Official Report,13 March, column 202, if he will outline the nature of the PULHHEEMS system of fitness assessment; and if he will specify how frequently it is applied to an individual member of the forces.
The PULHHEEMS system of medical classification involved assessment of:
- P = physical capacity
- U = upper limbs
- L = locomotion
- HH = hearing (hearing acuity)
- EE = eyesight (visual acuity)
- M = mental capacity
- S = stability
All new applicants to the services are required to have a PULHHEEMS medical examination at the pre-service stage and thereafter initial and service assessments following completion of their basic training. Further PULHHEEMS examinations are undertaken, with variations according to the branch of service, depending on the age of the individual and his employment. More regular assessments are given following injury and/or hospitalisation. The allocation of a PULHHEEMS assessment is a medical responsibility, but officers in command are responsible for ensuring that all ranks are referred to a medical officer.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South, Official Report, 13 March, columns 198–99, if he will ensure that all training instructors are required to read, understand and observe the newly issued defence council instructions on heat illness.
They are already required to do so.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South, Official Report, 13 March, columns 201-02, how many men took part in the Royal Marine training courses and exercises in 1989 during which three died and one suffered serious injury.
The number of personnel involved in Royal Marine training courses and exercises in 1989 in which three died and one suffered serious injury was in the region of 3,500.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South, Official Report, 13 March, column 199, what category of medical fitness was used for the Royal Navy survival course before the injury to Lieutenant Simon Rowland; and what is the new category.
The category of medical fitness used for the Royal Navy aircrew survival course is unchanged at P2—Physically Fit.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South, Official Report, 13 March, column 198, if he can obtain without disproportionate cost and effort the number of disciplinary inquiries that have followed the 12 cases of heat-induced fatalities which have occurred since 1978.
My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces will write to the right hon. Member.