Defence Reform Bill

Page 5, line 3, at end insert “, unmanned aerial systems, distributed common
ground systems, ground control and other stations used to support the operation
of unmanned aerial systems”

Page 5, line 6, after “contractor” insert “or any person who provides defence
procurement services to a contractor or to the Secretary of State for the purposes of
DE&S pursuant to the arrangements set out in section 1”

Insert the following new Clause—

“Reporting obligations

Reporting obligation on contractors

In providing any defence procurement services, the contractor shall—

(a)   report annually to the Secretary of State or at any more frequent
intervals as the Secretary of State may specify on—procured under the arrangements set out in section 1; and

(i)   the technical characteristics;

(ii)   capabilities; and

(iii)   use of equipment and services,

  procured under the arrangements set out in section 1; and

(b)   ensure that any person who provides provision of goods or services
to a contractor or to the Secretary of State for the purposes of DE&S
pursuant to the arrangements set out in section 1 provides the
contractor with all information necessary to carry out the
contractor’s reporting obligation under paragraph (a).”

Insert the following new Clause—

“Reporting obligations relating to defence procurement services: consequential
amendments

(1)   In the Visiting Forces Act 1952, after section 8, insert—

“8A Reporting obligations

(1)   It shall be the duty of the RAF commander responsible for liaison
with visiting forces to provide a scrutiny group to report annually
in July to the Secretary of State or at any more frequent intervals as
the Secretary of State may specify on the state of all premises and
property used by visiting forces for defence purposes, making
particular reference to—

(a)   defence procurement services used or available for use by
visiting forces;

(b)   the degree of control exercised by the RAF commander;

(c)   any factors which may have a bearing on the Secretary of
State determining impact of use of premises and property
by visiting forces on any arrangements made or proposed
pursuant to section 1 of the Defence Reform Act 2014;

(d)   any other factors which may have a bearing on whether to
make any provision under section 8 of the Visiting Forces
Act or any other enactment or arrangement to regulate use
of premises and property by visiting forces.

(2)   The membership of the scrutiny group shall include—

(a)   the RAF officer responsible for liaison with visiting forces at
each premises used for defence purposes;

(b)   a member holding high judicial office;

(c)   an independent member with expertise in the particular
technology used and services carried out by the visiting
forces.

(3)   The Defence Committee shall provide compensation for members
of the scrutiny group as appropriate for the purposes of reasonable
expense encountered in the course of work undertaken in this
capacity.

(4)   For the purpose of undertaking work in this capacity the members
of the scrutiny group may on reasonable notice—

(a)   access any premises or property used by visiting forces for
defence purposes;

(b)   request a report from any unit of a visiting force relevant to
use of premises and property;

(c)   request documentary or other material relevant to work
undertaken by the member;

(d)   request an interview with any visiting officer or agent who
may provide information relevant to work undertaken by
the member.”

(2)   In the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, after section 58,
insert—

“58A          Visiting forces

It shall be the duty of the Interception of Communications
Commissioner to report annually in July to the Secretary of State or
at any more frequent intervals as the Secretary of State may specify
on the use of all premises and property by visiting forces or agents
for any activity which may be subject to the provisions of the
Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.””

Insert the following new Clause—

“Reporting obligation on use of premises and property

(1)   On receipt of any report provided by a scrutiny group established under
section 8A of the Visiting Forces Act 1952, the Secretary of State shall—

(a)   lay a copy of the report before Parliament;

(b)   lay a copy of the report before the Intelligence and Security
Committee; and

(c)   lay a copy of the government’s response to the report before
Parliament, making particular reference to—

(i)   the impact of use of premises and property by visiting forces
on any arrangements made or proposed under section 1;
and

(ii)   whether any provision should be made under section 8 of
the Visiting Forces Act 1952 or any other enactment or
arrangement to regulate use of premises and property by
visiting forces.

(2)   On receipt of any report provided by the Interception Commissioner under
section 58A of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, the
Secretary of State shall—

(a)   lay a copy of the report before Parliament;

(b)   lay a copy of the report before the Intelligence and Security
Committee; and

(c)   lay a copy of the government’s response to the report before
Parliament, making particular reference to—

(i)   the impact of use of premises and property by visiting forces
on any arrangements made or proposed under section 1;
and

(ii)   whether any provision should be made under section 8 of
the Visiting Forces Act 1952 or any other enactment or
arrangement to regulate use of premises and property by
visiting forces.”