Written question asked by Tobias Ellwood (Conservative) on Monday, 3 September 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 10 September 2007. It was answered by Lord Browne of Ladyton (Labour) on Wednesday, 12 September 2007 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many UK military personnel have lost limbs during operations in (a) Afghanistan and (b) Iraq.

Answer: [holding answer 10 September 2007]: The Complex Rehabilitation and Amputee Unit (CRAU) at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC), at Headley Court in Surrey became fully operational on 1 June 2006. Since that date and 6 September 2007, it has treated 24 casualties from Iraq and 12 from Afghanistan.Prior to 1 June 2006, comprehensive information on the number of military personnel who have suffered amputations as a result of wounds received on active service was not held centrally. To provide this information would require the examination of the individual medical records of each patient who has been classified as very seriously injured or seriously injured in Iraq and Afghanistan. These records can only be viewed for non-clinical reasons with the express consent of each individual concerned, to protect patient confidentiality.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 154946; 463 c2069-70W
Session: 2006-07
Related items: Deposited Paper DEP 07/2164
Thursday, 18 October 2007
Deposited papers
House of Commons
Subjects: Iraq Peacekeeping operations Afghanistan
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk