§ Mr. EtheringtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many incidents involving allegations of bullying or brutality have been investigated in each of the armed forces in the last five years; how incidents were drawn to the attention of the authorities; and what was the result of the investigations.
§ Mr. SoamesDetails of allegations of bullying or brutality which have been investigated in each of the armed forces in the last five years are not held in a readily available form. To obtain this information would require a search of records held by each ship and service establishment.
§ Mr. EtheringtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the representations he has received in the last two years regarding incidents of bullying in the armed forces.
§ Mr. SoamesNo central record is maintained of representations regarding incidents of bullying in the armed forces and the information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. EtheringtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence at what level in the armed forces investigations into complaints about bullying are held; what is the number of units at this level; and if his Department collates the information.
§ Mr. SoamesThe level at which complaints of bullying are investigated by the services depends on the circumstances and seriousness of each case. Investigations may be undertaken at unit level or, in most cases, and always where a criminal offence is alleged, by the service police. Records are held centrally by the service police of all investigations undertaken by them.