Sexual and Ethnic Discrimination (Hansard, 20 October 1998)

§ Mr. Doug Henderson

The Government are committed to eliminating all forms of ethnic and unlawful sexual discrimination within the Armed Forces. Together with the Chiefs of Staff, we are determined to provide a working environment that is free from any form of racial or unlawful sexual discrimination. We will be unremitting in our efforts to remove any racist or sexist attitudes, racially and sexually discriminatory practice, behaviour and language—and this has been made absolutely clear to all Service personnel.

All three Services are implementing Equal Opportunities Directives and Action Plans to put our commitment into practice.

We consider that robust equal opportunities training is an important component of our determination to challenge prejudice. To this end, I opened a tri-Service Equal Opportunities Training Centre at the Royal Military College of Science, Shrivenham on 25 September 1998. The centre provides equal opportunities training for dedicated equal opportunities advisers, and all senior personnel—both Service and civilian. The Centre will complement the wide range of equal opportunities training and initiatives already undertaken by my Department.

The Naval Service has produced a video on sexual and racial harassment, and bullying. It will be distributed to all ships and establishments this month. The video will be accompanied by a supporting letter and feedback questionnaires.

The Army is introducing mandatory Individual Training Directives (ITDs) for all its personnel. All personnel will be required to undertake a minimum of two 40-minute training sessions on equal opportunities each year.

The RAF is currently reviewing how it may better convey its policy of 'Zero Tolerance' of harassment and discrimination.

In addition, personal guides and leaflets on equal opportunities are distributed throughout the Armed Forces and confidential telephone support lines for Service personnel have been introduced.