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Ministry of Defence

Answer

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many female members of the (a) Army, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Royal Air Force received early discharges on medical grounds in each of the last five years; how many complained of sexual harassment or assault; what (i) pension and (ii) benefit they received on discharge; and if he will make a statement. [136514] Mr. Caplin: Medical discharges for female members of the armed forces (both trained and untrained United Kingdom regular personnel) in each of the last five years are as follows: Female medical discharges in the armed forces, 1998-2002 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Navy Army RAF Total 1998 39 222 20 281 1999 52 259 35 346 2000 61 183 36 280 2001 52 160 29 241 20021 56 130 28 214 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. 1 Figures for 2002 have not yet been finalised and may be subject to alteration. Information on whether any of the individuals complained of sexual harassment or assault is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Members of the armed forces who are medically discharged after at least two years Service for reasons not attributable to their Service are awarded a Service Invaliding Pension (SIP) and a lump sum payment. Where the Veterans Agency accept the reasons for discharge as attributable to Service and pay a War Disablement Pension (WDP) under the War Pensions Scheme, the Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS) separately considers whether the injury or condition is due to Service. If this is accepted by the AFPS, the SIP is replaced by an enhanced Service Attributable Pension and an attributable lump sum is paid. These benefits are paid in addition to the Veterans Agency's WDP.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

136514; 413 c49-50W

Session

2002-03

Subjects

Armed forces Army Air force Discharges Women Equality Health Harassment Early retirement Pensions Navy Sexual offences

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

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