§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress in implementing the measures to combat bullying in the Army, outlined to the House in the Army debate on 26 January,Official Report, columns 256–58.
§ Mr. FreemanThe further detailed examination mentioned in the statement in the Army debate, which in many cases has been concerned with quantifying the550W manpower requirement for the measures outlined, has been continuing; the Army Board of the Defence Council has strongly endorsed the outcome and the way ahead. Taking them in the order announced in the House, the present position on the various measures is as follows:
At the recruiting and entry stage, medical screening will be improved, by increasing the medical cover at five particular depots where such support is currently provided on a part time basis. In addition, the briefing of civilian medical practitioners will be improved, to give them a fuller appreciation of service medical requirements and the rigours of military training. As part of this process, the Army will implement by March next year a sytem under which all civilian doctors engaged in recruiting attend an annual training day.
The review of the current procedures for selecting and training instructors for recruit training establishments continues. One improvement already agreed, and now being implemented, is the introduction of a new man-management pack, to be included in the training of all instructors. Additionally, a specialised training and management course will be mandatory for either the second in command or the training officer of each training unit.
In order to allow officers and NCOs to devote more time to their primary training and supervisory roles, just over 100 extra posts are to be re-established in the Army's training organisation in United Kingdom, to undertake and alleviate the pressures of unit administration. The additional posts will provide for 22 extra company seconds in commands, 14 additional company quarter-master sergeants, and 66 more corporals. All these posts will have been re-established, and filled, by the end of March next year.
As a means of improving welfare arrangements for single personnel in the Army, an additional 92 posts will be established for members of the Women's Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS). Roughly one third of these posts will be within the United Kingdom Army training organisation where the build-up will start later this summer. Other posts will be added, as recruitment allows, in major units and barracks complexes in Cyprus, the Falkland Islands, and throughout north-west Europe. An additional WRVS personnel management post will be created at the beginning of July, to co-ordinate the recruitment, training and administration of these extra supporting staff.
The content and extent of man-management training on all Army officers' warrant officers', and noncommissioned officers' courses is being re-examined. Special attention is being devoted to young officers' courses, and to the guidance on man management given to commanding officers.
All improper initiation ceremonies have been formally banned, and instructions and guidance issued throughout the Army relating to such practices, to the handling of alcohol abuse which has sometimes led to such incidents, and to the importance of "out of hours" supervision of soldiers. In addition, the chain of command throughout the Army has been formally reminded of the need for all cases of alleged bullying or other unacceptable behaviour to be reported without delay, thoroughly investigated and appropriate action taken where substantiated.
The costs of these measures are estimated at £500,000 for the current financial year, rising to £2 million a year thereafter as the additional staff are recruited.