Bermuda Regiment (Hansard, 11 July 2001)

§ Andrew Mackinlay
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many women serve in the Bermuda Regiment; and how many were conscripted. [2504]
522W

§ Mr. Bradshaw
Eighteen women are currently serving in the Bermuda Regiment. There is no conscription for women in Bermuda.

§ Andrew Mackinlay
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of conscripts to the Bermuda Regiment have not responded to their conscription call-up for each of the past five years. [2491]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
The proportions for the years in question are as follows:

1996–27 per cent.

1997–29 per cent.

1998–38 per cent.

1999–24 per cent.

2000–16 per cent.

The percentage represents the proportion who are unaccounted for and for whom no reasonable excuse has been offered.

§ Andrew Mackinlay
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what Governor Masefield's role is in respect of discipline and appeals in the Bermuda Regiment; and if he will make a statement. [2497]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
The Bermuda Defence Act 1965 established the policy and procedure to be observed in the command and administration of the Bermuda Regiment including military offences and the respective powers of the commander.
Appeals are heard by the Defence Board, which forwards its recommendations to the Governor, who then acts at his discretion.

§ Andrew Mackinlay
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many conscripts from the Bermuda Regiment have served outside Bermuda in the past two years. [2493]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
No conscripts have been deployed on operations outside Bermuda in the past two years.

§ Andrew Mackinlay
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what punishments have been made in respect of each conscript to the Bermuda Regiment who has failed to respond to his call-up in each of the past two years. [2500]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
Failure to respond to call-up is dealt with in civil court. There were no prosecutions in 1999. In 2000 nine men were prosecuted and were bound over for one year by the magistrate. Of the nine, six have now commenced military service, one was found unfit, one qualified for deferment and one will commence service in January 2002.

§ Andrew Mackinlay
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people have served custodial sentences in the past two years consequent on their failure to accept conscription in the Bermuda Regiment. [2498]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
None.

§ Andrew Mackinlay
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the establishment strength of the Bermuda Regiment is, broken 523W down by (a) full-time officers and soldiers, indicating those seconded from other regiments and units, (b) part-time officers and soldiers and (c) conscripts. [2494]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
The establishment strength of the Bermuda Regiment is:

(a) Full-time officers six, other ranks 22. Two are on secondment from the Royal Anglian Regiment.

(b) Part-time officers 24, other ranks 514.

(c) There is no breakdown available for conscripts. They are included in the part-time numbers.

§ Andrew Mackinlay
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions in the past year a leg brace has been used in respect of a Bermuda Regiment conscript; and for what purpose. [2501]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
In the past year a leg brace has been used three times as a restraint.