Armed Forces Bill

Insert the following new Clause—

“Committee on the Grant of Medals to Service Members

After section 359 of AFA 2006 insert—

“359B Committee on the Grant of Medals to Service Members

(1) There shall be a Committee, to be known as the Committee on the Grant of Medals to Service Members, to make recommendations to Her Majesty on the grant of medals to service members.

(2) The Committee shall consist of nine members—

(a) three of whom shall be drawn from the members of the House of Commons;

(b) three of whom shall be drawn from the members of the House of Lords;

(c) three of whom shall be persons the Secretary of State considers to represent service members; and

(d) none of whom shall be a Minister of the Crown.

(3) The members of the Committee shall be appointed by the Secretary of State, and one shall be so appointed as chair of the Committee.

(4) Before appointing members of the House of Commons or the House of Lords, the Secretary of State shall consult the Leader of the Opposition (within the meaning of the Ministerial and other Salaries Act 1975).

(5) The Committee shall make an annual report on the discharge of its functions to the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of State shall lay before each House of Parliament a copy of each annual report.

(6) The Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals shall cease to have a role in advising on or making recommendations about the grant of medals to service people.

(7) In this section “service people” means—

(a) members of the regular forces or reserve forces;

(b) members of British overseas territory forces who are subject to service law; and

(c) former members of any of Her Majesty’s forces.””

Insert the following new Clause—

“Commonwealth medals

After section 339 of AFA 2006 insert—

“339A Commonwealth medals

Medals awarded by Commonwealth governments to present or former members of Her Majesty’s armed forces may be worn without restriction.””

Insert the following new Clause—

“National defence medal

After section 339 of AFA 2006 insert—

“339A National defence medal

All serving and former members of Her Majesty’s armed forces must be awarded the national defence medal in recognition of their role in defending the United Kingdom and its interests nationally and internationally.””

Insert the following new Clause—

“NHS numbers for discharged service people

(1) Section 331 of AFA 2006 (discharge etc from the regular forces and transfer to the reserve forces) is amended as follows.

(2) After subsection (4) insert—

“(5) The Defence Council must also make regulations about the creation of a database of NHS numbers given to those who are discharged from the armed services to facilitate future research.””

The above-named Lords give notice of their intention to oppose the Question that Clause 24 stand part of the Bill.