§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what part boxing plays in training and physical education in the armed services.
§ Mr. HanleyIn the Royal Navy, including Royal Marines, and Royal Air Force, boxing is an entirely voluntary sporting activity, playing no part in training or formal physical education.
In the Army, the initial phase of new entry recruit training includes—for male recruits only—six periods of instruction in basic boxing skills. The regimental physical training instructor class 2 course, held at the Army school of physical training, includes a 22-period Army unit coach award course to qualify instructors to teach the basic skills covered in the six periods of new entry training.
In all three services, boxing is available as a sporting activity on a voluntary basis. Each service has a Boxing Association, which is affiliated to the Amateur Boxing Association Ltd.; all organised boxing sporting activities are conducted in accordance with that national governing body's regulations, including its medical rules.