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Written question asked by Lord Pearson of Rannoch (UK Independence Party) on Wednesday, 16 December 2015, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 4 January 2016. It was answered by Earl Howe (Conservative) on Monday, 21 December 2015 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Armed Forces: Muslims

Question

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether arrangements are in place to vet Muslim recruits to the armed forces; if so, what are those arrangements, and if not, whether they will set them up.

Answer

All candidates joining the Armed Forces are subject to exactly the same vetting procedures applicable to their chosen branch or trade, irrespective of religion or ethnicity.


There is no requirement for personnel to declare their religion. However, the numbers of British personnel who joined the UK Regular Armed Forces and self-declared their religion as Muslim in the last four financial years is set out below. The Ministry of Defence is not aware of any British Muslim members of the UK Regular Armed Forces going Absent Without Official Leave to fight in Syria or North Africa in the last four years.


Intake to the UK Regular Forces of personnel with a British Nationality declaring a Muslim religion, by Financial Year


2011-12

2012-13

2013-14

2014-15

10

20

30

20

Note: figures show intake to UK Regular Forces, both trained and untrained, which comprises new entrants, re-entrants, direct trained entrants (including professionally qualified Officers), intake to the Army from the Gurkhas and intake from the reserves. They exclude all movements within the Regular Forces; including flows from untrained to trained strength, transfers between Services and flows from Ranks to Officer due to promotion. All numbers are rounded.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL4675
Session
2015-16
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Armed forces Recruitment Muslims Vetting
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk