Alcohol Consumption (Hansard, 12 April 1989)

§ Mr. Sillars
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy with regard to the supply and consumption of alcohol on board Royal Navy vessels as it applies to(a) officers and (b) ratings.
606W

§ Mr. Neubert
Ratings on board Royal Navy vessels are limited in their daily onboard alcohol consumption. No specific limits are placed on officers but it is the responsibility of commanding officers to ensure that alcohol consumption of all personnel is not excessive. Drunkenness, even off duty and ashore, is an offence under the Naval Discipline Act, which can attract a punishment of up to two years imprisonment.

§ Mr. Sillars
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if submarines carrying nuclear weapons carry alcohol for consumption by the crew while the vessel is on active duty.

§ Mr. Neubert
Yes.

§ Mr. Sillars
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the navies which contribute to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation; and if he will indicate which do and do not permit alcohol consumption on board vessels.

§ Mr. Neubert
As far as I am aware only the United States Navy does not permit alcohol consumption on board.

§ Mr. Sillars
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his estimate, by type, of the alcohol consumed on board Royal Navy vessels in the latest available year; and if he will indicate consumption differences between the wardroom and lower deck.

§ Mr. Neubert
Records are not maintained centrally. To obtain the information requested would involve dis- proportionate cost and effort, requiring individual returns from Royal Navy ships worldwide.

§ Mr. Sillars
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if, in view of the recent court martial of the commanding officer of a submarine, who because of alcohol consumption was unable to be on board at the time of sailing and whose intake of alcohol started on board, he will review the policy of allowing alcohol consumption on board Royal Navy vessels.

§ Mr. Neubert
No. The policy on alcohol consumption aboard Royal Navy vessels takes full account of operational safety and efficiency while allowing those who so desire a moderate level of alcohol consumption during off-duty hours. By virtue of being at sea, frequently for long periods, Royal Navy personnel are already severely restricted in their freedom of choice of off-duty activity without considering further curtailment.