§ Mr. Winnickasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many armed forces personnel have been discharged in the last three years after being found responsible for bullying; and if he will give details of the services concerned and the ranks of those so discharged.
§ Mr. FreemanBullying is not specifically defined as an offence under the Service Discipline Acts. Charges would be framed under those sections of the Acts appropriate to the circumstances. Since January 1986 instances of bullying in the Army have been recorded separately from other disciplinary cases involving assault. In the period since then, two Army corporals and one private soldier have been dismissed following courts martial for offences involving bullying, all in the current year. One Royal Marine corporal has also been dismissed from the service following his court martial for assault on another Royal Marine.
§ Mr. Winnickasked the Secretary of State for Defence what reports he has recently received regarding bullying and initiation ceremonies in the armed forces.
§ Mr. FreemanMy Department keeps me informed of all allegations of bullying and so-called initiation ceremonies which are investigated by the SIB. I routinely receive periodic reports on this subject, and I am informed of any new cases of bullying which arise.
§ Mr. Winnickasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the circular sent recently to units of the armed forces regarding the need to prevent bullying against recruits.
§ Mr. FreemanI refer the hon. Member to my comments in the recent defence debate on 28 October, at column 393.