Asked by: Emma Lewell (Labour - South Shields)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference his Department's documents entitled Murder, Manslaughter and Sexual Offences in the Service Justice System: 2024, updated on 3 October 2025, and Murder, Manslaughter and Sexual Offences in the Service Justice System: 2023, published on 28 March 2024, in how many cases involving victims of sexual offences under the age of 18 were offences of (a) rape, (b) sexual assault, and (c) sexual activity with a child committed by a person in a position of trust since 2021.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
All those who choose to serve our country must be able to do so free from abuse, and with the dignity and respect they deserve. Sexual offending has no place in the Armed Forces, and anyone who commits a sexual offence can expect to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
The number of cases involving victims of sexual offences under the age of 18 from 2021 to 2024 and in the published Murder, Manslaughter and Sexual Offences in the Service Justice System official statistics were as follows, noting these are based on investigations opened (including referral and non-referral to the Service Prosecuting Authority) and not based on conviction.
a) Rape: 4
b) Sexual assault: 80
c) Sexual activity with a child committed by a person in a position of trust: not recorded as a separate offence in the published official statistics.
The total number of male and female victims of sexual offences under the age of 18 from 2021 to 2024 was 122. The number of female victims under the age of 18 is not published in the official statistics. Figures of fewer than three in each year have been suppressed to prevent inadvertent disclosure and are not included in these totals.
Please note that I am unable to release any details concerning alleged victims of sexual offences which could lead to their identification. This is because of statutory restrictions and to ensure that victims of sexual offences are not deterred from coming forward. Therefore, in the interests of protecting the anonymity of the victims I will not be releasing information confirming whether any of the victims of sexual offences referred to in your question were based at the Army Foundation College at the time of the offence.
Asked by: Emma Lewell (Labour - South Shields)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference his Department's documents entitled Murder, Manslaughter and Sexual Offences in the Service Justice System: 2024, updated on 3 October 2025, and Murder, Manslaughter and Sexual Offences in the Service Justice System: 2023, published on 28 March 2024, how many victims of sexual offences under the age of 18 were based at the Army Foundation College.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
All those who choose to serve our country must be able to do so free from abuse, and with the dignity and respect they deserve. Sexual offending has no place in the Armed Forces, and anyone who commits a sexual offence can expect to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
The number of cases involving victims of sexual offences under the age of 18 from 2021 to 2024 and in the published Murder, Manslaughter and Sexual Offences in the Service Justice System official statistics were as follows, noting these are based on investigations opened (including referral and non-referral to the Service Prosecuting Authority) and not based on conviction.
a) Rape: 4
b) Sexual assault: 80
c) Sexual activity with a child committed by a person in a position of trust: not recorded as a separate offence in the published official statistics.
The total number of male and female victims of sexual offences under the age of 18 from 2021 to 2024 was 122. The number of female victims under the age of 18 is not published in the official statistics. Figures of fewer than three in each year have been suppressed to prevent inadvertent disclosure and are not included in these totals.
Please note that I am unable to release any details concerning alleged victims of sexual offences which could lead to their identification. This is because of statutory restrictions and to ensure that victims of sexual offences are not deterred from coming forward. Therefore, in the interests of protecting the anonymity of the victims I will not be releasing information confirming whether any of the victims of sexual offences referred to in your question were based at the Army Foundation College at the time of the offence.
Asked by: Emma Lewell (Labour - South Shields)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference his Department's documents entitled Murder, Manslaughter and Sexual Offences in the Service Justice System: 2024, updated on 3 October 2025, and Murder, Manslaughter and Sexual Offences in the Service Justice System: 2023, published on 28 March 2024, how many victims of sexual offences under the age of 18 were female since 2021.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
All those who choose to serve our country must be able to do so free from abuse, and with the dignity and respect they deserve. Sexual offending has no place in the Armed Forces, and anyone who commits a sexual offence can expect to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
The number of cases involving victims of sexual offences under the age of 18 from 2021 to 2024 and in the published Murder, Manslaughter and Sexual Offences in the Service Justice System official statistics were as follows, noting these are based on investigations opened (including referral and non-referral to the Service Prosecuting Authority) and not based on conviction.
a) Rape: 4
b) Sexual assault: 80
c) Sexual activity with a child committed by a person in a position of trust: not recorded as a separate offence in the published official statistics.
The total number of male and female victims of sexual offences under the age of 18 from 2021 to 2024 was 122. The number of female victims under the age of 18 is not published in the official statistics. Figures of fewer than three in each year have been suppressed to prevent inadvertent disclosure and are not included in these totals.
Please note that I am unable to release any details concerning alleged victims of sexual offences which could lead to their identification. This is because of statutory restrictions and to ensure that victims of sexual offences are not deterred from coming forward. Therefore, in the interests of protecting the anonymity of the victims I will not be releasing information confirming whether any of the victims of sexual offences referred to in your question were based at the Army Foundation College at the time of the offence.
Asked by: Emma Lewell (Labour - South Shields)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with Kosovo counterparts on (a) strengthening defence and security collaboration and (b) industrial and armed forces cooperation.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
As one of the first countries to recognise Kosovo’s independence in 2008, the UK has a strong bilateral defence relationship. We continue to play a leading role in the professionalisation of the Kosovo Security Force since its inception in 2009. Today our cooperation focusses on areas including training and exercising, defence education and defence reform. HMG also continue to explore future defence export opportunities to Kosovo. Alongside bolstering Kosovo’s security and resilience, this cooperation aims to support jobs throughout the United Kingdom and maintain our world-class defence-industrial base. Defence exports as well as bilateral defence cooperation were issues discussed when the Kosovan Director for Policy and Strategy met with UK Defence officials in the margins of DSEI in September.
Asked by: Emma Lewell (Labour - South Shields)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the total cost to the public purse is for compensation paid to (a) (i) former and (ii) current armed forces personnel and (b) their solicitors in relation to the use of Lariam by the Armed Forces.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence is unable to disclose the total amount of damages paid out for common law claims related to Lariam as they are subject to the usual confidentiality undertaking agreed with claimants' legal representatives. The same applies to claimant legal costs.
Asked by: Emma Lewell (Labour - South Shields)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2025 to Question 77519 on Armed Forces: Mefloquine, when he expects the issue of claimants' legal costs to be resolved.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The claimant's legal costs are the subject of negotiation between the parties, and it is hoped that they will be resolved soon. It is not currently possible to provide a timeline.
Asked by: Emma Lewell (Labour - South Shields)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many claims his Department (a) has settled, (b) has refused and (c) are outstanding for asbestos exposure relating to service in the armed forces.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Service personnel who develop lung cancer or asbestos-related diseases due to Service before 6 April 2005 may be eligible for compensation under the War Pension Scheme (WPS). For conditions arising on or after this date, the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) applies.
WPS Asbestos-Related Claims (1 April 2020 - 31 March 2025)
Claim outcome | All Years | 2020-21 | 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 |
Total | 731 | 143 | 138 | 127 | 175 | 138 |
Awarded | 614 | 122 | 121 | 101 | 151 | 119 |
Rejected | 117 | 21 | 17 | 26 | 24 | 29 |
Note: Pending claim figures are unavailable, as medical certification – required to confirm relevant conditions – is typically obtained close to the point of claim resolution.
Common Law Compensation Claims (1 April 2015 to 31 March 2025)
a) 19 asbestos-related claims have been settled with compensation paid.
b) 28 claims have been closed without compensation. It is not possible to distinguish between those refused, discontinued, or no longer pursued.
c) 320 claims remain outstanding.
Asked by: Emma Lewell (Labour - South Shields)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason his Department's settlement of Lariam claims involved a non-disclosure agreement with solicitors acting for veteran claimants.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Hilary Meredith Solicitors and the Ministry of Defence agreed to the inclusion of a confidentiality clause in the court order covering the damages settlement. It is a common feature of out of court settlements to keep confidential the amount of damages paid to claimants as well as the amount of legal costs paid to their solicitors.
Asked by: Emma Lewell (Labour - South Shields)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure that missing medical records on the use of Lariam by armed forces personnel are (a) located and (b) provided to those personnel.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence is not aware of any issues concerning missing medical records on the use of Lariam (mefloquine) by Armed Forces personnel. The Department can additionally confirm there are no outstanding requests for any medical records where a person believes they have been prescribed Lariam (mefloquine).
Asked by: Emma Lewell (Labour - South Shields)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the total cost was of the sums agreed by his Department with Hilary Meredith Solicitors Ltd in connection with cases relating to the use of Lariam by armed forces personnel; and how many such claims have been settled.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Damages have been settled in all 434 claims brought by Hilary Meredith Solicitors against the Ministry of Defence relating to the use of Lariam. The claimants' legal costs have still to be resolved.