Written question asked by Lord Field of Birkenhead (Labour) on Thursday, 6 November 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 17 November 2003. It was answered by Ivor Caplin (Labour) on Monday, 17 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 of 27th October 2003, 412 c6-7W, on life insurance, what provisions were put in place to cover Reservists called up for service in the six months prior to 1st July.

Answer: Mr. Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 27 October 2003, Official Report, columns 6-7W, on life insurance, what provisions were put in place to cover Reservists called up for service in the six months prior to 1 July. [138098] Mr. Caplin: For many years, the Ministry of Defence has provided attributable death and injury benefits for Reservists under the War Pension Scheme and the Reserve Forces (Attributable Benefits Etc) Regulations. Commercial insurance has offered--and still offers-- additional cover to those requiring it. The decision whether to take out such cover has always been a matter for the individual; MOD neither endorses nor sponsors commercial insurance schemes. Reservists called up for service in the six months prior to 1 July 2003 could, if they wished, have taken out life cover under RPAX, and at that time been covered for war risks on joining the scheme. Information about RPAX was then, and still is, promulgated, periodically, to individual Reservists and units. In addition, Reservists would have been briefed on its availability at their respective mobilisation centres.

Secondary information