§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied with the standard of discipline in the 3rd Battalion Green Jackets; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanI have called for a report on the matter, and I shall write to the hon. Member shortly.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he has received any complaints from the people of Celle concerning the 3rd Battalion Royal Green Jackets.
§ Mr. FreemanNo. In fact the Oberstadtdirek tor of Celle has recently spoken favourably of the Royal Green Jackets.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many private soldiers have been court-martialled for offences involving brutality in the 3rd Battalion Royal Green Jackets during the last five years.
§ Mr. FreemanNone has been convicted by court-martial for bullying, but 10 riflemen have been convicted by court-martial of assault involving other soldiers as follows:
Number 1982 1 1983 Nil 1984 6 1985 1 1986 2
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many non-commissioned officers have been court-martialled for offences involving brutality in the 3rd Battalion Royal Green Jackets during the last five years.
§ Mr. FreemanNone has been convicted by court-martial for bullying or for assault.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many men serving with the 3rd Battalion Royal Green Jackets have gone absent without leave in the current year.
§ Mr. FreemanIn 1986, 28 soldiers have gone absent without leave, of whom nine are still absent. Of the 19 who have returned nine were absent for 24 hours or less. All others were absent for less than one month.
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§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he has received any complaints of brutality in connection with the 3rd Battalion Royal Green Jackets.
§ Mr. FreemanNo. Any such complaints made through proper channels would be thoroughly investigated.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to prevent harsh initiation ceremonies in the 3rd Battalion Royal Green Jackets; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanIn February 1986 a case of an initiation ceremony came to light, which merited investigation. Following this, disciplinary action was taken against four soldiers of the battalion, and the unit was warned regarding the holding of such ceremonies.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many service men of 3rd Battalion Royal Green Jackets have received medical treatment following acts of brutality over the last five years.
§ Mr. FreemanThe treatment registers now available cover only the last four years. In total, 14 cases are recorded of treatment for injuries sustained in fights/assaults involving other service men. The assailants are not identified and they need not have been members of the battalion.