To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many soldiers aged under 18, both in training and in the trained strength, have (a) been hospitalised for injuries and (b) died in the last three years.

While the Ministry of Defence does not necessarily hold data for all hospital admissions, we are aware that between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2012, 22 soldiers under the age of 18 have been admitted to hospital. Nine of these were admitted on an in-patient basis. It has not been possible to identify whether the remaining 13 were for an in-patient or out-patient appointment.

In the same period, three soldiers aged under 18 have died. This figure covers all causes of death: hostile action, accidents, natural causes, assaults, coroner confirmed suicides or open verdicts and cause not yet known.