§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence at what phase in Army training a recruit is permitted to handle weapons containing live rounds without supervision; what(a) age and (b) other restrictions limit troops' access to lethal weapons; and in what circumstances an armourer may exercise discretion to refuse the issue of a weapon to a member of Her Majesty's forces. [104898]
§ Dr. MoonieNo recruits in initial training are allowed to handle weapons containing live rounds without supervision. As part of their training, all recruits have access to lethal weapons from the start of phase 1 training; the age limit is therefore effectively 16. However, all such recruits are fully supervised whilst handling such weapons. Within the Army, an Arms Storeman will refuse the issue of a weapon to a soldier if he or she is unaccompanied by a supervising NCO or if the weapon has not been ordered for training.