Written question asked by Jim Cousins (Labour) on Wednesday, 12 November 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 20 November 2003. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Thursday, 20 November 2003 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer to the honourable Member for Birkenhead of 27th October, 412 c6W, on life insurance, how many (a) regular and (b) reserve personnel serving in the Gulf have cover; and how many do not.

Answer: Mr. Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field) of 27 October 2003, Official Report, column 6W, on life insurance, how many (a) regular and (b) reserve personnel serving in the Gulf have cover; and how many do not. [139236] Mr. Ingram: Commercial life insurance is not part of the benefits the Ministry of Defence provides. For those who die in Service or leave the Service due to injury, the MOD's support is provided by the War Pension Scheme, the Armed Forces Pension Scheme and (for reservists) the Reserve Forces (Attributable Benefits Etc) Regulations. Moreover, as personal insurance is a complex area and one that is becoming increasingly regulated by the Financial Services Authority, it is MOD policy not to endorse, sponsor or recommend any commercial insurance scheme. Therefore, while MOD encourages regulars and reservists to ensure that they are appropriately insured for their particular circumstances, the decision whether to purchase cover, and which scheme to join, must be a matter for the individual, and as such is not monitored by the Ministry of Defence.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 139236; 413 c1268-9W;413 c1265W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Armed forces Armed conflict Insurance Iraq Peacekeeping operations Staff Reserve forces Iraq conflict
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk