§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what rules govern(a) the display of political memorabilia and emblems and (b) the wearing of sectarian emblems and apparel inside army barracks in Northern Ireland; at what level responsibility rests for removing inappropriate displays; and how many personnel have been disciplined for offences arising from such displays since April 1998. [101154]
§ Mr. IngramThe Army has clear guidelines on Equal Opportunities Policy and Complaints which are laid out in Army General Administrative Instructions. These are reinforced in Northern Ireland by Northern Ireland Standing Operations Procedures (NISOP) including a section on Equal Opportunities and Diversity with an annex on Northern Ireland Sectarian Harassment 183W Policy and Guidelines which covers areas such as flags and emblems. The implementation of these policies rests with the appropriate Commander of a Battalion, unit or station. A copy of this NISOP was placed in the Library of the House of Commons in April 2000. Since 1998 the Army Board has considered administrative action against one officer and awarded an administrative sanction against him.