Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many trainee soldiers appear in the Army Foundation College records as having committed self-harming behaviour in the most recent year for which figures are available.

In training year 2015-16, 1,370 untrained Army personnel arrived at the Army Foundation College. During that same period 17 untrained Army personnel had a deliberate self-harm incident recorded at the College. Some of these personnel may have commenced training the previous year.

We take the duty of care to our personnel very seriously. Every unit has a comprehensive welfare system, which is widely publicised. The network of agencies includes chaplains, Equality and Diversity Advisers, Women's Royal Voluntary Service, and Unit Welfare Officers. Personnel also have access to the Army confidential helpline, and SpeakOut the Army's helpline.