§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what instructions are given to Army personnel serving in Northern Ireland concerning the use of the safety catch on the GPMG whilst on patrol or guard duties.
§ Mr. Ian StewartInstructions given to personnel lay down that, except in the act of firing, the safety catch on the GPMG is to be applied at all times when the weapon is cocked. The safety catch cannot be applied unless the weapon is cocked, nor can the weapon be fired except when cocked.
§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the normal training period for the use of a GPMG; and what is the minimum age a recruit can undertake such training.
§ Mr. FreemanThe normal training period in the use of the GPMG is some 30 hours over a period of about three months.
Adult recruits undertake GPMG training after they have completed their common military syllabus (recruit) training which lasts eight weeks. The minimum age of entry for an adult recruit is 17 years. For junior soldiers and junior leaders, however, GPMG training is not carried out within the first 14 weeks after entry. The minimum age of entry for a junior soldier is 16 years and 6 months; and for junior leaders, 16 years in England and Wales, and 15 years 8 months in Scotland.