§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent initiatives he has taken to address the problems of alcohol abuse in the armed forces; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SoamesThe armed forces have on-going programmes to combat the problems of alcohol abuse. All service personnel are warned of the dangers of the misuse of alcohol and are made aware of the punishments which may be awarded for alcohol-related offences. A comprehensive system of education and treatment, together with deterrent administrative and disciplinary action, has been developed. A series of alcohol education programmes, making use of pamphlets, films and lectures, have been produced to make all personnel aware of the448W dangers of abuse. The services' policies on alcohol abuse are kept under constant review.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the armed forces serving in(a) the Army, (b) the Royal Navy and (c) the Royal Air Force have been disciplined in each of the past five years for alcohol-related offences.
§ Mr. SoamesThe numbers of service personnel convicted of alcohol-related driving offences of drunkenness between 1988 and 1992, the latest years for which figures are available, are as follows:
Royal Navy Royal Marines Army Royal Air Force 1988 248 26 1,476 609 1989 300 52 1,362 525 1990 260 40 1,340 682 1991 226 35 1,093 544 1992 200 34 1,012 445