MoD goes NUTs at claims

CONCERNED officials at the MoD have hit back at claims by a leading teaching union that the Armed Forces are actively recruiting youngsters in schools.

In issuing a firm rebuttal, the Department denied that any of the three Services signed up young people from the classroom, adding that they only aimed to “raise awareness” of the opportunities and challenges of a career in uniform.

The statement also refuted National Union of Teachers (NUT) claims that the MoD presented a rosy picture of military life, stating that “all aspects” of a career were presented. It added: “The Armed Forces do not recruit in schools. The single-Service schools teams visit about 1,000 schools a year between them – only with an invitation – with the aim of raising the awareness of the Forces in society.

“A career in the Armed Forces is not something to be ashamed of and we are proud to raise awareness of the tremendous work that our Service personnel do.”

The rebuttal followed the union’s annual conference, at which members agreed that teachers who opposed recruitment activities in schools should have their backing.

They also endorsed a proposal to take part in demonstrations should there be any military attacks against Iran by the United States or UK Armed Forces.

However Steve Sinnott, the NUT General Secretary who died shortly after the March conference, later added that the union wanted to work with the MoD. He accused the media of misrepresenting members’ position, and added that teachers needed to ensure any recruitment materials used in schools were fair and balanced.

He hoped something constructive would come out of the fracas and said he would write to the MoD to invite them to a summit of teachers and other interested parties on military marketing and recruitment activities in schools.

Targeting safety

SENIOR officers and legal eagles have warned troops to put safety at the top of their priority list after legislation to clamp down on workplace deaths came into force.

Under the new Corporate Manslaughter and Homicide Act, the MoD could find itself in the dock if there were fatalities and, if convicted, face fines amounting to millions of pounds.

The legislation, which came into force last month, introduces a corporate criminal offence for deaths arising from very serious health and safety failings in the UK in which it is felt that senior management have not shown sufficient care.

It means the MoD will now be treated in the same way as commercial organisations in the event of serious safety breaches leading to accidental fatalities, even though it retains a special immunity under health and safety legislation.

While the Department cannot be prosecuted for activities relating to military operations and the hazardous training needed for deployment, it is thought officials would need to prove that the manoeuvres were directly related to an operational tour for the defence to be successful.

The Government has also made it clear that the MoD will be held accountable for accidental deaths in routine training, adventurous training, trials and development and activities with recruits.

Gerard Forlin, a top disaster litigation barrister who has been involved in several high-profile court cases, believed that the Act could have serious ramifications.
He said: “Each death will now have to be looked at on its own particular facts.

“Although there may be immunity for specific wars, terrorist activity or peacekeeping and the training that relates to them, the total shroud of immunity has gone,” he added.

“The dividing line in certain cases will be very fine.”

With the far-reaching implications of the Act in mind, military experts have ordered a series of briefings for all personnel, including those deployed overseas. Col Chris Manning, the Army’s Chief Environment and Safety Officer, said those responsible for soldiers’ training, administration and welfare had to carry out their safety duties thoroughly.

He added: “While there should be no serious ramifications – all of us have always been criminally liable for individual health and safety failings – this new law means the MoD itself can be prosecuted. This may mean more detailed police investigations if something goes wrong. But otherwise nothing changes as long as everyone, especially senior officers, keeps safety at the top of their priorities.

“Near misses, accidents and equipment failings must be reported under kit arrangements to the Army Incident and Notification Cell. We must also follow the rules and restrictions on kit.”

Gen Sir Richard Dannatt, the Chief of the General Staff, was also adamant that safety should be given top priority and maintained that all troops had a role to play. He said: “Safety is no more or less than force protection, and I am totally committed to delivering high standards to ensure that we continue to deliver forces at readiness. A small number may see health and safety – safety management – as somehow alien to the military ethos and inconsistent with the robust conditions and standards required to deliver forces at readiness for operations. Nothing could be further from the truth.”