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Armed Forces: Injuries

Volume 479: debated on Monday 21 July 2008

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many civil actions have been brought against his Department relating to illnesses and injuries sustained (a) on operations abroad and (b) whilst serving in the UK in each year since 1997; and what the cost to the Department in each year was. (220081)

Claims are not recorded on the Department's claims database in a format that differentiates between illnesses and injuries sustained on operations abroad and while serving in the UK. However, the number of civil claims for personal injury brought against my Department by members of HM forces since 1997-98 is set out as follows. Financial data regarding the cost to my Department in terms of compensation and associated legal costs relating to this category of claimant are also set out as follows. A figure for 1997-98 is however unavailable due to the way such financial data were recorded at that time.

Service personnel personal injury claims

Compensation and associated legal costs (£ million)

2007-08

603

32.7

2006-07

550

32.9

2005-06

640

26.3

2004-05

667

22.7

2003-04

604

25

2002-03

666

40

2001-02

819

32.3

2000-01

924

36.6

1999-00

752

31

1998-99

735

26.7

1997-98

730