COMPENSATION FOR DEATHS AND INJURIES IN THE ARMED FORCES

Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam asked the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence if he will give (i) the number of deaths in the Armed Forces over the last five years; (ii) the number of cases in which members of the Armed Forces have suffered injuries giving the figures for each year; and (iii) finally in each case what compensation or pension was paid.

Mr Goh Chok Tong: Deaths

There were 54 deaths in SAF training and work mishaps over the last five years, from 1981 to September 1985. Injuries

Over the period 1981 to September 1985, 782 SAF personnel incurred various degrees of permanent disablement arising from training and work mishaps. Annual figures are: 1981 - - 87 1982 - - 191 1983 - - 213 1984 - - 187 1985 (up to Sep 85) - 104 ----- 782 =====

The figure for 1981 differs from that of 22 stated in a Written Answer to the Member for Anson on 31 Aug 82. The earlier figure was confined to National Servicemen. Also it covered only those cases where the degree of disablement had been settled by 31 Aug 82. Injuries take some time to stabilise before a final determination of degree of disablement may be made.

Of the 782 cases in 1981-85, only 4 involve 100% permanent disablement. 95% of the 547 cases which have been settled involve less than 30% permanent disablement. Please see table below: Degree of Permanent Disablement _____________________________________________________________ |Up to 10%|11-30%|31-50%|51-70%|71-90%|100%|Total |||||||__ No. of Cases| 361 | 158 | 19 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 547 |||||||__ % of Total | 66.0% | 28.9%| 3.5%| 0.5%| 0.4%| 0.7| 100% |||||||__

Compensation

As several hundred cases are involved, it would be more meaningful to list out the compensation provisions and give an indication of the amounts of compensation paid, than to list each case individually.

Compensation benefits are specified in detail in the SAF Pensions Regulation, 1978. In summary, the provisions for death cases are:

(a) Lump sum payment.

(b) Various pensions and allowances as applicable, including: (i) Widow's pension. (ii) Child(ren)'s pension. (iii) Dependent's pension for mother (or father if the mother is deceased). (iv) Education Allowance for dependent children. The provisions for cases of permanent disablement are:

(a) Lump sum payment.

(b) Pension and various allowances as applicable, including: (i) Disability pension. (ii) Allowance for constant attention. (iii) Treatment allowance. (iv) Education allowance for dependent children.

The quantum of payment depends on the degree of permanent disablement, defined in the SAF Pensions Regulations on the same lines as in the Workmen's Compensation Act. Free medical and rehabilitative treatment and equipment for the disabled serviceman are provided,even after release from SAF service.

Lump sum compensations for the 54 cases of death in 1981-85 ranged from $15,000 to $52,000. This includes 10 cases involving National Servicemen, whose families were each paid $45,000.

Lump sum compensations for the 4 cases of 100% disablement ranged from $45,000 to $ 60,000. This includes 2 National Servicemen,who were each paid $60,000 and another who was paid $45,000.