HC Deb 02 March 1999 vol 326 cc661-3W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many RAF personnel have been dismissed for drugs-related offences in each of the last five years. [72938]

Mr. Spellar

It is not yet possible to provide confirmed figures for 1997 and 1998. However, figures for 1993–96 are as follows:

RAF personnel dismissed for drugs related offences following a sentence of dismissal from Service at Court Martial
Year Number
1993 20
1994 8
1995 1
1996 1

Note:

Latest figures available

In addition to the above figures, the numbers of RAF personnel administratively discharged for drug related incidents, including following conviction by a civilian court, are:

Year Number
1993 10
1994 22
1995 14
1996 15

Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) Army and (b) Royal Navy personnel have been dismissed for drugs related offences in each of the last five years. [73792]

Mr. Spellar

It is not yet possible to provide confirmed figures for 1997 and 1998. However, figures for those dismissed for drug related offences following a sentence of dismissal from Service at Court Martial, Summary Trial or Summary Proceedings, or a sentence of imprisonment from a civilian court for 1994–96 are as follows:

Year RN/RM Army Total
1994 45 68 113
1995 31 38 69
1996 112 29 41
1997 2 2 2
1998 2 2 2
1The RM figures for this year may be subject to slight revision
2Not yet available

Note:

Latest figures available

In addition to these figures, the numbers of those administratively discharged for drug related incidents are:

Year RN/RM Army Total
1994 0 136 136
1995 0 146 146
1996 1 121 122
1997 1 103 104
1998 1 119 120

In addition, further personnel have been administratively discharged under the compulsory drugs testing (CDT) programmes operated by the RN/RM and the Army. These figures are:

Year RN/RM Army Total
1995 106 106
1996 178 178
1997 12 426 438
1998 13 336 349

Note:

1. RN introduced CDT in April 1997

2. Army introduced CDT in December 1994