§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) incidents and (b) offences of (i) bullying and (ii) harassment in the Armed Forces were recorded in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [100171]
§ Dr. MoonieThe requirement for separate identification and recording of allegations of bullying and harassment was introduced in 1997. Figures for the last five years are as follows:
Financial year Naval Service RAF Calendar year Army Bullying 1997–98 14 10 1998 117 1998–99 11 9 1999 71 1999–2000 19 27 2000 78 2000–01 16 38 2001 59 2001–02 17 25 2002 36 Harassment 1997–98 10 24 1998 26 1998–99 25 20 1999 33 1999–2000 16 13 2000 31 2000–01 16 14 2001 26 2001–02 3 13 2002 23 There is no offence of bullying as such. It is not possible therefore to determine if bullying played a part in service disciplinary proceedings without examining each case separately.
The services' policy is that no form of harassment or intimidation will be tolerated; all allegations are investigated, and appropriate action taken. Although the numbers of complaints of bullying and harassment are small, the Armed Forces see no room for complacency and aim to confront unacceptable behaviour at every opportunity.