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Iraq

Answer

[holding answer 23 October 2006]: The Ministry of Defence publishes data on battle and non-battle casualties that have resulted from our operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, dating from March 2003 for Iraq. The best centrally available casualty statistics can be found on the Ministry of Defence website:"http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/FactSheets/OperationsFactsheets"For the period from March 2003 to 31 December 2005, 230 UK military and civilian personnel were treated at UK medical facilities in Iraq for wounds received as a result of hostile action.Separate records, from notification of casualty reporting (NOTICAS), show that some 40 UK military and civilian personnel have been categorised as very seriously injured (VSI) from all causes, and that some 70 personnel have been categorised as seriously injured (SI) from all causes. These figures include personnel treated for wounds received as a result of hostile action.Up to 4,000 UK military and civilian personnel (including a small number of Iraqis) have been medically evacuated from Iraq on medical grounds, whatever the reason.The total number of UK military and civilian personnel who were treated at the Shaibah ““Role 3”” Field Hospital was 6,609. Of these 226 were categorised as wounded in action, including as a result of hostile action, and 6,383 were categorised as suffering disease or non-battle injury.Since the beginning of the year, we have sought to collect better information. Between 1 January and 30 September 2006 centrally available records show that:"47 UK military and civilian personnel were admitted to the Shaibah Role 3 Facility in Iraq and categorised as wounded in action, including as a result of hostile action.""855 UK military and civilian personnel were admitted to the Shaibah Role 3 Facility for disease or non battle injuries.""553 UK military and civilian personnel were aeromedically evacuated from Iraq on medical grounds, whatever the reason."It is with very deep regret that I can confirm that as of 1 November 2006 a total of 120 British forces personnel have died, or are missing presumed dead, while serving on Operation Telic since the start of the campaign in March 2003. Of these, 90 are classed as killed in action, including as a result of hostile action, 30 are known to have died either as a result of illness, non-combat injuries or accidents or have not yet been officially assigned a cause of death, pending the outcome of an investigation. These figures may change as inquests are concluded.The MOD does not keep records centrally on the number of completed inquests, as this is a matter for the coroner and the Department for Constitutional Affairs. I refer the hon. Member to the ministerial statement made by my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister for Constitutional Affairs, 12 October 2006, Official Report, column 26WS, in which she referred to completed inquests.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

451 c1467-8W; 96145

Session

2005-06

Subjects

Iraq Peacekeeping operations

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk