Armed Forces Bill

MARSHALLED
LIST OF AMENDMENTS
TO BE MOVED
ON REPORT

The amendments are marshalled in accordance with the Order of 15th September 2011, as follows—

Clauses 1 to 14
Schedule 1
Clauses 15 to 26
Schedule 2
Clauses 27 to 29
Schedule 3
Clause 30
Schedules 4 and 5
Clauses 31 to 34

[Amendments marked * are new or have been altered]

Clause 2

LORD CRAIG OF RADLEY

LORD RAMSBOTHAM

1

Page 2, line 3, leave out from “section” to “Armed” in line 4 and insert “340 of AFA 2006 insert—

“PART 14A Armed Forces Covenant

340A”

LORD TOUHIG

2

Page 2, line 7, at end insert—

“(c) in advance of producing his annual report, publish a list of headings of the matters to be included in the report;

(d) present the list to the covenant reference group for their consideration;

(e) include in his report any comment on or additional item proposed for inclusion by the covenant reference group.”

BARONESS FINLAY OF LLANDAFF

3

Page 2, line 11, after “housing” insert—

“( ) in the operation of inquests;”

LORD ROSSER

LORD TUNNICLIFFE

4*

Page 2, line 12, at end insert “; and

including any comments which the Covenant Reference Group may wish to make on that report.”

BARONESS DRAKE

LORD JUDD

5

Page 2, line 22, at end insert “; and

(d) the additional responsibilities the armed forces have towards those who enlist as minors, including ensuring their adequate education.”

LORD CRAIG OF RADLEY

LORD LEE OF TRAFFORD

BARONESS TAYLOR OF BOLTON

THE LORD BISHOP OF WAKEFIELD

6

Page 2, line 22, at end insert—

“( ) An armed forces covenant report must include a statement from—

(a) the Secretary of State for Health,

(b) the Secretary of State for Education,

(c) the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government,

(d) the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, and

(e) the relevant comparable ministers in the devolved assemblies,

in respect of progress in fulfilling obligations to serving military personnel and their families, and to veterans.”

LORD EMPEY

7

Page 2, line 22, at end insert—

“( ) An armed forces covenant report must include a statement from—

(a) the relevant Secretaries of State, and

(b) the relevant devolved administrations in the United Kingdom,

about progress in fulfilling obligations to serving military personnel and their families, and to veterans.”

LORD KAKKAR

LORD PATEL

8*

Page 2, line 32, at end insert—

“( ) The Secretary of State must commission research into healthcare issues affecting service people, including issues related to access to healthcare facilities to inform the covenant report.”

LORD EMPEY

9

Page 2, line 39, at end insert—

“( ) Where an armed forces covenant report states that special provision for service people or particular descriptions of service people is justified, it must also state how the Secretary of State will seek to ensure that the special provision made is broadly the same in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.”

After Clause 2

LORD ROSSER

LORD TUNNICLIFFE

10*

Insert the following new Clause—

“Armed forces advocates

After section 359 of AFA 2006 insert—

“359 Armed forces advocates

(1) The existing network of armed forces advocates will be extended through the nomination of supporting advocates at regional and local level to ensure that local authorities work together to identify and resolve issues in local policy or the delivery of services that may affect service people.

(2) In this section “armed forces advocate” means a public servant nominated to monitor and resolve policy or legislative issues that arise for service people.””

11*

Insert the following new Clause—

“Duties of Ombudsmen and covenant commitments

After section 359 of AFA 2006 insert—

“359C Duties of Ombudsmen and covenant commitments

The Parliamentary and Local Ombudsmen shall have the duty to investigate complaints from service personnel, veterans, and their families, that a public body or local authority has failed to meet the commitments outlined in The Armed Forces Covenant and The Armed Froces Covenant: Today and Tomorrow.””

After Clause 11

BARONESS FINLAY OF LLANDAFF

12

Insert the following new Clause—

“Procedure on arrest for substance abuse, violence against the person or damage to property

After section 74 of AFA 2006 insert—

“74A Procedure on arrest for substance abuse, violence against the person or damage to property

(1) If a person subject to service law and currently serving in Her Majesty’s armed forces—

(a) has been arrested on suspicion of having committed an offence, and

(b) the damage is related to substance abuse, violence against the person or criminal damage to property,

prior to any decision being made as to charge, consideration shall be given and the conclusions recorded as to the possible diversion of the person for specialist services to assist with substance misuse and mental health treatment either through Her Majesty’s armed forces or in the community.

(2) Prior to such a person’s case being determined before a military or civil court, the prosecuting authority and the court shall review whether the case should be referred to specialist services such as are described in subsection (1).””

After Clause 23

LORD CRAIG OF RADLEY

LORD RAMSBOTHAM

LORD BRAMALL

LORD TOUHIG

13

Insert the following new Clause—

“Commonwealth medals

After section 339 of AFA 2006 insert—

“339A Commonwealth medals

Medals awarded by Commonwealth governments, including the Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal, to present or former members of Her Majesty’s armed forces may be worn without restriction.””

LORD PALMER OF CHILDS HILL

14

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 defence medal in recognition of their role in defending the United Kingdom and its interests both nationally and internationally.””

Prepared 3rd October 2011