COLLAPSE OF ABUSE INQUIRY AT AFC HARROGATE

That this House notes with deep concern the collapse of the court-martial proceedings in Bulford Military Court relating to allegations of abuse by Army instructors against recruits aged 16 and 17; further notes the series of failures by the Royal Military Police, including a failure to charge the instructors more than two years after around 40 16 and 17-year-olds made allegations of abuse, including being slapped or punched in the face, spat at, grabbed by the throat, and had their faces submerged in mud; expresses serious concern about the treatment of young people in Army training facilities; notes that the armed forces are allowed to maintain their own police forces and conduct their own criminal trials; and calls on the Government to launch a review of the minimum armed forces enlistment age.