HC Deb 02 April 1987 vol 113 c567W
Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what are the procedures which establish to whom young recruits should initially refer complaints of bullying or brutality in the Army.

Mr. Freeman

A soldier may make a complaint about bullying, or any matter in which he thinks he has been wronged, either to his immediate superiors, such as his platoon or company commander, or direct to his commanding officer, who is required by law to investigate the complaint and take action as he considers necessary. Periodically soldiers are also given the opportunity to bring a complaint to the attention of a senior visiting officer. All soldiers are made aware of these procedures at an early stage in their training.

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what information is provided for recruits about procedures for making complaints about mistreatment.

Mr. Freeman

Mistreatment is not tolerated in the armed forces. Information on the services' redress of grievance procedures is brought to the attention of all personnel, including recruits, through posters and notices displayed prominently in all units and through standing publications.

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make available in the Library the results of each investigation in the last four years into allegations of cruelty and brutality in the armed forces.

Mr. Freeman

It is not normal practice to publish investigation reports and, while their results are made available on request to those with a direct interest, it would not be appropriate to place such results in the Library.

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated cost of assessing the number of complaints made in each case of the last four years about cruelty and brutality in the armed forces.

Mr. Freeman

As I stated in answer to the right hon. Member's question on 23 March, at column 2, the information is not held centrally. It would be necessary to make inquiries at every service unit to see whether any such complaints had been made over the past four years. The cost of such an investigation would clearly be substantial.