British troop numbers in Iraq are to be reduced

The publication comes after MPs opposed to the conflict began to call for a full breakdown of casualties.

The Ministry of Defence said 226 military or civilian staff were wounded in action and 6,383 were categorised with disease or non-battle injuries.

The data will now be updated on a monthly basis on its website.

A spokeswoman said reports the information was first made available on Thursday as MPs headed for their Easter break were incorrect as they were posted a week ago.

"We always promised we would publish the information once more accurate figures became available," she added.

Patient confidentiality

The figures, covering the period from March 2003 to December 2005, show up to 4,000 personnel - including a small number of Iraqi workers - have been evacuated to the UK for medical treatment.

The MoD said the "great majority" of these were due to illness, accidental injury, routine outpatient treatment or for compassionate reasons.

All casualties suffered by UK Forces are a source of profound regret Ministry of Defence

The data, however, is not said to relate to the peak of the conflict due to the "tempo of operations".

The MoD said complete records exist but are held by individual unit commands and publication could breach "patient confidentiality".

Separate figures published for January this year indicate the monthly casualty rate was lower than some earlier periods.

The MoD said they show 65 people had treatment in Iraq, with five being categorised as wounded in action, compared to previous tallies which saw casualties in the hundreds.

"All casualties suffered by UK Forces are a source of profound regret," it said in a statement.

"UK personnel have put their lives on the line to help the Iraqis build a strong, stable Iraq and we cannot pay high enough tribute to the job they are doing, or the sacrifice some of them have made."