An MP has said it is “astonishing” why files on the bombing of the Navy support ship Sir Galahad during the Falklands War have still not been released.

MPs across the House have pushed the Government for transparency, with defense minister Al Carns saying the Ministry of Defense (MoD) position was that shipboard casualties during the Falklands War were “solely the result of enemy action and enemy action”.

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) ship Sir Galahad and sister ship Sir Tristram were attacked by the Argentine air force on 8 June 1982.

After any incident that results in loss of life, people always ask themselves: What if something had happened differently? But the losses aboard Sir Galahad were the result of enemy action and enemy action alone.

Approximately 48 crew members aboard the Sir Galahad were killed and many more were injured.

Following the disaster, some blamed the Welsh Guards on board for not abandoning the ship sooner, leaving the ship vulnerable to attack.

Survivors have long campaigned for the release of more documents from a special investigation into the bombing, which they believe will exonerate the Welsh Guards.

During defense questions in the House of Commons, Mr Carns told MPs: “I would like to emphasize once again that the service and sacrifice made by those on board Sir Galahad will never be forgotten.

“After any incident that results in loss of life, people always ask themselves: What if something had happened differently? But the losses aboard Sir Galahad were solely the result of enemy action and enemy action.

“We protect personal data and information under the Public Records Act, but have recently reviewed other files.”

Jessica Morden, Labor MP for Newport East, said: “Falklands veterans from the Welsh Guards continue to campaign to uncover the truth behind the attack on Sir Galahad in June 1982.

“I know the Minister is already working on this issue, but as time progresses, would you agree to meet with me, but also other colleagues and, importantly, campaign veterans, to discuss the release of remaining documents from the board of inquiry?” “So that veterans and the families of the dead can finally get to the truth?”

It’s been 40 years since this conflict and it’s not about finding blame or who is responsible, it’s about making sure the lessons are learned in a transparent way for future operations, in my view.

Conservative MP Sir Bernard Jenkins said it was “surprising” that documents relating to the attack had not yet been released.

He said: “This is 40 years into the conflict and this is not about finding blame or who is responsible, in my view this is about making sure that lessons are learned for future operations in a transparent way about chains of command and accountability during conflict .

“What is the reason for keeping these documents? And will he (Mr Carns) have compassion for those who are still living with this as bereaved relatives or who bear the scars and scars of this tragic event?”

Mr. Carns expressed “compassion for those injured or injured in the conflict,” adding assurances that “the lessons learned from the conflict have spread throughout the department.”

He added: “There are five files consisting of 308 witness statements that remain closed, and according to the provisions of the Public Records Act, witness statements will remain closed until 2065. However, we are looking at reviewing some of these statements and providing comments to them in due course.”

I had many friends who were stationed there and the effects of this disaster are affecting them too and all they want is to know why they were there at the wrong time, who gave the orders; this report is critical

Former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said the death toll in the attack was due to the “incompetence” of the leadership.

He said: “I had a lot of friends who were stationed there and the effects of that disaster, the death, the burnt people who are still alive today, it reverberates and hits them and all they want is to know why they were there at the wrong time. The time, who gave the order, this report is critical .

“This is not a case of them being damaged or killed by enemy action. “At the same time, the incompetence of those who put them in the wrong place at the wrong time made them vulnerable to this simple, terrible attack.”

Mr Carns replied: “As (Sir Iain) will know, there is a lot of chaos in the conflict and the Ministry of Defense in no way blames the Welsh Guards for the events of that tragic day.

“Authorities reviewed other files and two excerpts from the board of inquiry were reviewed and are now among the open records of the National Archives.”