Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Royal Air Force plans to issue policy instructions along the lines of those recently issued by the Army and Royal Navy on cases with a sexual element being referred to the Service Police for investigation.

The Manual of Service Law already provides that a Commanding Officer (CO) should take legal advice to assist him/her in making the most appropriate decision as to who should investigate alleged offences of a sexual nature. Further advice/guidance on the handling of such cases is currently being considered by the Service Justice Board, which includes representation from all three Services.

Following the outcome of this review the Royal Air Force does intend to issue further guidance on cases with a sexual element being referred to the Service Police for investigation.