Arms firms should pay for war injuries

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 11th Sep 2007

The Government should introduce a "windfall tax" on the armaments to pay enhanced compensation for soldiers injured in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The request comes from MP Bob Russell who represents the Garrison Town of Colchester, Headquarters of 16 Air Assault Brigade whose members have served in both countries where they have suffered fatalities and injuries.

He has Tabled a Parliamentary Question to the Chancellor of the Exchequer asking Mr Alistair Darling to introduce a windfall tax on the armaments industry to fund enhanced compensation payments for members of HM Armed Forces injured in Afghanistan and Iraq - and to support charities engaged in assisting serving and former members of the Armed Forces and their families.

Mr Russell, who is a member of the Liberal Democrat Defence Team and a Parliamentary Advisor to The Royal British Legion, said: "Arms companies have made a fortune out of the war in Iraq and the conflict in Afghanistan. I believe that those who have been injured are deserving of more support than they are currently receiving, and I believe that the Government should call on the armaments industry to pay for this. They can afford it. The arms companies have done very well out of this country's engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan."

Although Parliament is currently in recess for the summer, Mr Russell has taken advantage of a new system which enables MPs to ask a limited number of Written Questions to Ministers to Answer before Parliament returns next month.