Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral contribution of 31 October by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence on Royal Navy: Conduct towards Women, Official Report column 611, if he will publish the remit of the formal investigation into allegations of sexual abuse and harassment in the Royal Navy Submarine Service.

A formal investigation, directed by First Sea Lord, into the allegations of sexual abuse and harassment in the Royal Navy Submarine Service commenced on 24 October.

The remit of the formal investigation will consider the facts and circumstances surrounding allegations of misconduct and inappropriate behaviour within the Submarine Service and will seek to establish:

• The facts and circumstances of any unacceptable behaviour described in the allegations.
• Whether these specific incidents of unacceptable behaviour have been previously reported to anyone in the Submarine Flotilla. If so, where, how and who they were reported to and what actions have been taken.
• Whether there are or have been barriers to reporting of inappropriate behaviour and, if so, how these have occured and the effect they have had and could have on the subjects and incidents of these behaviours.
• Consideration to how to sustain an improved reporting culture.
• Whether any of the allegations are in contravention of the Armed Forces Act 2006Whether any of the allegations were actioned in accordance with the correct administrative and disciplinary procedures of the day.

The Royal Navy’s investigation will include an individual from outside Defence to provide external scrutiny. They will work alongside the investigation and are currently being selected for their independence, probity and integrity.

While it would be premature to offer any further comment until those investigations are complete, anyone found culpable will be held accountable for their actions regardless of their rank or status.

Sexual assault and harassment have no place in the Royal Navy and will not be tolerated.