HC Deb 28 April 1999 vol 330 cc149-50W
Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel in(a) the Army, (b) the RAF and (c) the Royal Navy have been suspended from duty due to allegations as to their conduct for (i) up to three months, (ii) up to six months, (iii) up to nine months, (iv) up to 12 months, (v) up to 15 months and (vi) over 15 months at the latest date for which figures are available. [69384]

Mr. Doug Henderson

The Services do not, at present, collate statistics which relate to suspensions as a result of unproven allegations. This information is held on personal records and could be provided only at disproportionate cost, but will in future be recorded centrally.

The position on suspensions in each Service is as follows: Naval Service The Royal Navy and Royal Marines do not use suspension from duty when personnel are subject to investigations of alleged misconduct. If appropriate, Officers are re-appointed and Ratings are drafted to another job. Army Army officers may be suspended from duty due to allegations of misconduct in accordance with Queen's Regulations (Army) 6.015. There is no similar mechanism for suspending soldiers from duty. In such circumstances, soldiers are dealt with by their chain of command and should there be a pressing Service need administrative action may be taken to move them to another unit while investigations take place. RAF The RAF may suspend officers from duty due to misconduct in accordance with Queen's Regulations (RAF) 1009. There is no formal system in place by which an airman or woman can be suspended. It is extremely rare for an officer to be suspended, or for an airman or airwoman to be removed from all Air Force duties. In such cases, it is likely that the individual would be taken from specific duties and employed on other duties until the allegation of misconduct had been resolved. If an individual is facing charges of such severity that their continued presence on a unit would prejudice good order and discipline, or where welfare considerations dictate, an individual may be moved to another unit.