HC Deb 25 March 1985 vol 76 cc104-6W
Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many disciplinary proceedings concerning drug misuse have resulted in discharge from duty of serving members of the armed forces during the latest year for which figures are available.

Mr. Lee

The number of service personnel discharged from the armed forces for drug related offences in 1984 was as follows:

Number
Royal Navy/Royal Marines 13
Army 63
Royal Air Force 55
Total 131

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what manpower and financial resources are currently available for the treatment of drug misuse within the armed forces.

Mr. Lee

There are no manpower or financial resources devoted solely to the medical treatment of drug misuse within the armed forces. Such treatment is found within the overall resources available for all types of medical treatment required by the services.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many serving members of the armed forces have been the subject of disciplinary procedures for drug misuse in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Mr. Lee

The numbers of serving members of the armed forces who have been the subject of disciplinary procedures are not centrally available. However, the number of armed forces personnel convicted in military and civilian proceedings on drug-related offences in the years in question is as follows:

Convictions for drug offences
All services Royal Navy/Royal Marines* Army† Royal Air Force
1980 153 100 39 14
1981 202 100 70 32

All services Royal Navy/Royal Marines* Army† Royal Air Force
1982 122 36 69 17
1983 190 61 114 15
1984 336 44 149 143
* Excludes conviction in civilian courts; includes three Marines for 1983 charged under the Army Act.
‡ The 1982 figure includes one officer.