Clause 26: Interpretation

58. This clause defines the terms " the 1955 Acts " and "the 1957 Act" for the purposes of the Bill.

Clause 27: Repeals

59. This clause introduces Schedule 4 to the Bill that lists all the provisions to be repealed as a consequence of the changes made by this Bill.

Clause 28: Short title and commencement

60. This clause provides that the provisions of the Act (except clauses 22 and 24 which come into force on Royal Assent) are to come into force on a day or days to be appointed by a commencement order by the Secretary of State.

EFFECTS OF THE BILL ON PUBLIC SECTOR FINANCES

61. Work is continuing to refine the additional costs arising from the establishment of the summary appeals courts and the other new arrangements. The majority of these costs will arise from the need for additional lawyers, investigators and other staff to administer the new procedures; the travel and subsistence costs of these and witnesses; and increased take up of the armed forces' legal aid scheme. The total costs will be sensitive to the number of appeals to the summary appeals courts. For planning purposes, the present assumption is that there will be of the order of some 1500 appeals to this court each year and that, on this basis, the estimated cost of implementing the changes included in the Bill will be of the order of £6,500,000 per annum in a typical year. In 2000/01, this will include some £1,500,000 in start-up costs, to cover development of the computer system that provides the administrative support for the Army's disciplinary procedures, accommodation and office equipment and activity associated with the recruitment of additional personnel.

EFFECTS OF THE BILL ON PUBLIC SECTOR MANPOWER

62. The Service manpower requirement represented by the costs shown in paragraph 61 is also subject to further refinement, but the present estimate is for about 55 additional personnel. There will also be an estimated requirement for 35 additional civilians to be employed by the Ministry of Defence. .

REGULATORY IMPACT ASSESSMENT

63. There will be no regulatory impact on businesses.

COMMENCEMENT DATE

64. It is anticipated that the Act will be commenced by or on 2 October 2000.

EUROPEAN CONVENTION ON HUMAN RIGHTS

65. Section 19 of the Human Rights Act 1998 requires the Minister in charge of a Bill in either House of Parliament to make a statement, before second reading, about the compatibility of the provisions of the Bill with the Convention rights (as defined by section 1 of that Act). The Secretary of State for Defence has made the following statement:

In my view the provisions of the Armed Forces Discipline Bill are compatible with the Convention rights.

Secretary of State for Defence