Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to remarks made by Baroness Goldie on 23 November (HL Deb, col 798), how many complaints of (1) bullying, (2) sexism, (3) sexual assault, (4) physical abuse, and (5) emotional abuse, have been made to the Diversity and Inclusion Directorate since it was formed in April; and how many of these complaints have resulted in (a) an inquiry being launched, and (b) a conviction.

Complaints of this nature are not dealt with by the Diversity and Inclusion Directorate. For members of the Armed Forces, complaints of this nature can be raised and investigated in the form of a Service Complaint. Criminal allegations are referred to the Service Police for investigation. For Defence civilian staff, complaints of this nature can be raised and investigated by Defence Business Services' Civilian Human Resources. Where a complaint relates to an incident which may constitute a criminal offence, the matter is referred to the police.