§ Mr. RuaneTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what recent measures he has taken to stop bullying in the armed forces; [105223]
(2) what percentage of armed forces personnel who have gone absent without leave gave bullying as the main reason for absconding in each of the last three years; [105217]
(3) what is the recorded incidence of bullying in each branch of the armed forces for each of the past 10 years; [105218]
(4) if he will publish a breakdown by regiment of incidents of bullying in each of the past 10 years; [105219]
(5) if he will make it his policy to collate information on incidents of (a) racial, (b) sexual, (c) verbal and (d) physical bullying; [105220]
(6) what help is offered to victims of bullying in the armed services; [105221]
(7) how many armed forces personnel have been disciplined for bullying in each branch of the armed services for each of the last 10 years. [105222]
§ Mr. SpellarThere is not a specific military offence of bullying in the Services.
Any information provided on reported incidents or complaints of bullying, or what is perceived as bullying by the victim, leading to personnel being subsequently charged with a disciplinary offence, is complicated by the number of different specific charge which could be more generally interpreted as bullying. Furthermore, not all disciplinary cases are processed through the Court-Martial system; some cases of a less serious nature might well be dealt with by a Commanding Officer summarily, and are only recorded on local personnel files. Each individual file would therefore need to be searched manually to provide appropriate data. This could be completed only at a disproportionate cost.
Similar difficulties apply in determining whether Service personnel go Absent Without Leave (AWOL) because of bullying. The only way to determine a cause for AWOL would be to examine every Service interview record following the return of an absentee. This could be completed only at a disproportionate cost.
The Services policy, which is promulgated to all personnel, is that bullying, or sexual and racial harassment, will not be tolerated. Furthermore, before enlistment procedures are carried out, recruits are made aware of the Services' policies on bullying and harassment. It is the responsibility of officers and senior ranks/rates to preserve good order and discipline at all times, and this is reinforced on the appropriate training 401W courses. All allegations of bullying or ill-treatment are investigated, and depending on the strength of the evidence, appropriate disciplinary action is taken against the perpetrators. The policy of zero tolerance towards bullying was re-emphasised when the new code of social conduct was issued to all personnel on 12 January 2000. All these measures are kept under review and re-focused as necessary.
Additionally, the Services have produced Equal Opportunities Directives and pamphlets, which emphasise that bullying, and racial or sexual harassment are unacceptable, and give guidance on making complaints.
Within the last 18 months, the Services have also set up confidential telephone helplines. The contact numbers are well publicised throughout the Services and are accessible to all personnel. While there is some difference in the methods of operation, the Services hope that personnel will use the helplines should they be subjected to harassment or bullying, or would welcome advice if they wish to discuss issues in complete confidence. All those in positions of authority have a responsibility for personnel under their command. Individuals can make
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Warships in Portsmouth Naval base at 0900 Ship Type 2 January 2000 9 January 2000 16 January 2000 Anglesey Patrol vessel Yes No No Atherstone MCMV1 Yes No No Bangor Mine hunter Yes Yes Yes Berkeley MCMV Yes No No Bicester MCMV Yes Yes Yes Birmingham T42 Yes No No Blazer Fast training boat Yes Yes No Brocklesby MCMV Yes No No Cardiff T42 Yes Yes Yes Cattistock MCMV Yes Yes Yes Chiddingfold MCMV Yes Yes Yes Dasher Fast training boat Yes Yes No Edinburgh T42 Yes Yes Yes Endurance Ice patrol ship Yes No No Fearless Landing platform dock Yes Yes Yes Glasgow T42 Yes Yes Yes Gloucester T42 Yes Yes Yes Grafton T23 Yes Yes Yes Grimsby Mine hunter Yes Yes No Guernsey Patrol vessel Yes Yes No Hurworth MCMV Yes No No Illustrious Aircraft carrier Yes Yes Yes Intrepid Landing platform dock Yes Yes Yes Invincible Aircraft carrier Yes Yes Yes Iron Duke T23 Yes Yes Yes Leeds Castle Patrol vessel Yes Yes Yes Lindisfarne Patrol vessel Yes Yes Yes Liverpool T42 Yes Yes Yes Manchester T42 Yes Yes Yes Marlborough T23 Yes Yes Yes Middleton MCMV Yes Yes Yes Newcastle T42 Yes Yes Yes Pembroke MCMV Yes Yes No Puncher Fast training boat Yes Yes No Pursuer Fast training boat No Yes Yes Quorn MCMV Yes Yes Yes Raider Fast training boat Yes Yes No Richmond T23 Yes Yes No Shetland Patrol vessel Yes Yes Yes Southampton T42 Yes Yes Yes Tracker Fast training boat Yes Yes Yes Westminster T23 No Yes Yes York T42 Yes Yes Yes 1 MCMV mine counter measures vessel their case known through the chain of command, direct, to their commanding officer, medical officer or padre if they do not feel that the initial support offered is adequate.
All three Services have been required, since December 1997, to record and submit quarterly returns to the Ministry of Defence detailing all formal complaints to the chain of command of sexual and racial discrimination and bullying. The details of each complaint record whether the specific complaint is physical or verbal in nature. There are some differences between the Services in the way that information is recorded, and some of the information requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The information that is available is being collated. I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the House.