Military Helmets

Mrs. James
14. To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of military helmets in protecting service personnel from bomb blasts and motor vehicle accidents; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ingram
The Ministry of Defence carries out a continuous programme of detailed testing designed to ensure that levels of protection provided by the helmet are maintained and wherever possible improved. The new Mark 6a helmet offers 40 per cent. more protection and is currently being issued to personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The combat helmet is designed to lessen the effects of fragmentation injuries. It is not specifically designed for motor vehicle accident protection, although it would clearly reduce the risk of injuries associated with such accidents.