§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will include a psychological testing programme as part of selection procedures used for military provost guard service personnel to be employed in the policing of his Department's establishments before the commencement of the pilot study in April 1997. [38151]
§ Mr. SoamesMilitary provost guard service personnel will be trained soldiers, employed on guarding duties at Army establishments, not policing duties. There are no plans to include a psychological testing programme in the selection procedures for military provost guard service personnel.
§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the proposed procedures of independently investigating complaints against personnel of the military provost guard service; [38125]
(2) if he will set up an independent investigation authority to investigate complaints against personnel of the military provost guard service, before the commencement of the pilot study of the policing of his Department's establishments in April 1997. [38126]
§ Mr. SoamesMy Department will not be setting up an independent investigation authority to investigate complaints against personnel of the military provost guard service. All military provost guard service soldiers will be subject to military law and Queen's Regulations for the Army and are answerable to their commanding officers, like any other soldier, on all discipline issues. Any complaints by members of the public against military provost guard service will be investigated fully by the relevant authorities. Offences by service personnel in the United Kingdom affecting the persons or property of civilians must, except in some minor cases, be reported to the civil police so that a decision can be taken by the appropriate prosecuting authority on jurisdiction.
§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what types of checks are proposed for the military provost guard service personnel before they are able to carry and use the 5.56 mm SA80 high velocity rifle; and how frequently these checks are made; [38119]
(2) what type of assessment is proposed for the military provost guard service personnel's ability to carry and use arms; what checks will exist for different types of arms; and how frequently these checks will be made before the commencement of the pilot study of the policing of Ministry of Defence establishments in April 1997. [38128]
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§ Mr. SoamesMilitary provost guard service soldiers will be recruited to Army training directive standards. All soldiers complete an annual personal weapons test (trained soldier)—valid for one year—on their personal weapon each year. MPGS soldiers will make periodic practices with their personal weapon at the direction of their commanding officer as a routine part of their soldiers' continuation training.
§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations he has held over the suitability of the 5.56 mm SA80 high velocity rifle, for the policing, guarding and security of Ministry of Defence establishments. [38120]
§ Mr. SoamesConsultation has taken place with specialist departments within Government on the suitability of the 5.56 mm SA80 high velocity rifle to meet the policing, guarding and security requirements of my Department's establishments.
§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the length and type of training which will be required of military provost guard service for the policing of his Department's establishments, before the commencement of the pilot study of the policing of his Department's establishments in April 1997. [38122]
§ Mr. SoamesMilitary provost guard service personnel will be employed on guarding duties at Army establishments. They will not undertake any policing duties. The training requirements for military provost guard service soldiers were set out in a consultative document, "Defence Policing and Guarding Structures", issued by my Department in December 1995, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House.
§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the selection procedures proposed for selection of military provost guard service personnel. [38124]
§ Mr. SoamesThe main source of recruits for the military provost guard service is expected to be full engagement regular soldiers who have served six years in the armed forces. Their suitability for employment in the military provost guard service will be based on their service confidential reports and an interview. Any recruits without previous military experience will first be required to undergo and pass the Army common military syllabus (recruits) course. All military provost guard service recruits will be expected to meet physical standards which enable them to pass the Army bi-annual basic fitness test for their age group.