Written question asked by Kevin McNamara (Labour) on Wednesday, 23 February 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 4 March 2005. It was answered by Baroness Harman (Labour) on Friday, 4 March 2005 on behalf of the Solicitor General.

Solicitor-General

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the reasons were for the decision to drop assault charges against the six Royal Marines instructors based at the Commando Training Centre at Lympstone; on what date the decision was taken; and whether further complaints against officers are awaiting consideration.

Answer: Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the reasons were for the decision to drop assault charges against the six Royal Marines instructors based at the Commando Training Centre at Lympstone; on what date the decision was taken; and whether further complaints against officers are awaiting consideration. [218574] The Solicitor-General: I have been asked to reply. Six members of the training staff at Lympstone Marine Commando Training Centre were originally charged with offences including disgraceful conduct, ill-treatment of men of inferior rank and conduct prejudicial to military discipline. On receipt of fresh evidence pertaining to the case, and in accordance with its duty to keep the prosecution under constant review, the Army Prosecuting Authority reviewed the charges against the six accused. Applying the tests of sufficiency of evidence and public interest contained in the Code for Service Prosecutors, the APA decided to discontinue all proceedings against one accused on 31 January and then, following the receipt of further evidence, against the remaining five accused on 2 February 2005. The Army Prosecuting Authority is not aware of any further complaints against these servicemen.

Secondary information