Written question asked by Harry Barnes (Labour) on Wednesday, 3 December 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 11 December 2003. It was answered by Ivor Caplin (Labour) on Thursday, 11 December 2003 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Northern Ireland veterans have taken their own lives (a) after and (b) during their service in Northern Ireland since 1973. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Barnes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Northern Ireland veterans have taken their own lives (a) after and (b) during their service in Northern Ireland since 1973. [142742] Mr. Caplin: Between 1984 and 2002 there have been 45 deaths among Regular Service personnel serving in Northern Ireland recorded with a suicide verdict or an open verdict from a coroner. During this period there were three other deaths among Regular Service personnel serving in Northern Ireland for whom we are waiting for a coroner's verdict. Information on deaths prior to 1984 is not held centrally. Information on other Service personnel who may have served in Northern Ireland, but died in Service elsewhere is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Information on deaths of Service personnel after they have left the Service is also not generally available to the Ministry of Defence.

Secondary information