§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 9 December, if he will categorise the action that was taken regarding the 89 cases of alleged bullying that were referred to his Department during 1986.
§ Mr. FreemanThe 89 cases were referred to the Ministry of Defence during 1986 and 1987. All of these allegations were investigated. A total of 32 cases were substantiated, 40 were not substantiated and 17 are still under investigation. Of the 32 allegations substantiated, courts martial relating to nine of the cases are still pending or incomplete, one case resulted in an acquittal, and 11 resulted in convictions. Eleven cases were dealt with summarily.