§ 66. Miss WiddecombeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the steps taken by the armed services, and in particular the Army, to identify bullying tendencies at an early stage and to prevent those exhibiting such tendencies from receiving promotion.
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§ Mr. FreemanI have made it clear in a number of statements to the House, and the message has been put across in the Army at all levels, that bullying in the armed forces will not be tolerated in any form and that appropriate action will be taken against those against whom charges have been substantiated.
In my reply of 7 June 1988 to the right hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South (Mr. Ashley) I gave a progress report on the implementation of the measures designed to stamp out bullying and to ensure that potential bullies are not put in positions of responsibility over young recruits. Among these were improvements in instructor training and in man-management training for young officers and NCOs. An improved man management training package for instructors is being implemented. The guidance on man management for officer and NCO training courses has now been revised and the pamphlet will be printed before Christmas.
In addition, we have now established the extra 102 posts designed to relieve those involved in training and supervision of some administrative tasks and we are in the process of establishing and inviting applicants for the WRVS posts.