To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guidance his Department has issued to the base commander at RAF Wittering on service personnel wearing uniforms off base; when such guidance was issued; what the evidential basis for the guidance was; and if he will make a statement. (194050)

No additional guidance was issued other than the existing rules set out in Queen's Regulations chapter 6 ‘Uniform and Dress’ (last amended February 2005) and Air Publication 1358 ‘Uniform, Dress and Appearance Regulations’ (last amended February 2008) and Joint Service Publication 440 ‘Defence Manual of Security’ (last updated July 2007). This gives Station Commanders the discretion, where appropriate, to instruct their personnel not to wear service uniform off base.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department consulted (a) Cambridgeshire Constabulary, (b) Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and (c) Peterborough city council before issuing advice to RAF Wittering on the wearing of service uniforms off base. (194051)

The RAF did consult with Cambridgeshire Constabulary regarding the issue of the wearing of uniform off base. Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Peterborough city council were not involved in this process. Having been briefed on the background to this action, the Mayor of Peterborough and Cambridgeshire police issued a joint statement on 11 March supporting the decision.