Memorandum from the Steering Group for
a British Armed Forces Federation
I write on behalf of the Steering Group which
has published proposals for a professional staff federation for
members of HM Forces. Ours are the proposals which have attracted
attention in recent weeks, both in the media and in the Services
community.
We are aware of Lord Drayson's Written Answer
to Lord Garden in the Lords about the possibility of serving members
of the Armed Forces forming a staff association along the lines
of the Police Federation (HL 23 Jan 2006: Column WA143).
We are also aware from media reports of the
responses by the Chief of the Defence Staff to questions about
an Armed Forces Federation, in the course of the Bill Committee's
evidence session on 16 February. Sir Michael's reported comments
appear to have been based on the idea of a trade union which might
be prepared to undertake industrial action; he spoke of a foreign
contingent temporarily "laying down its arms" while
on operations.
In fact the proposals specifically rule out
any question of any kind of industrial action or insubordination
in any circumstances. I enclose a summary of the proposals which
were published last month as a basis for wide discussion.
In addition to that important clarification,
the purpose of this letter is to offer to give the Bill Committee
either oral or written evidence on behalf of the Steering Group.
I believe that we are in a position to provide the necessary quality
of evidence which the Committee would expect. Incidentally, we
also plan to write to the Committee Members individually.
DRAFT "10 POINT
SUMMARY"—PUBLISHED
FOR DISCUSSION
23 JANUARY 2006
1. A professional staff association is to
be formed for members of Her Majesty's Forces under the provisional
title of the BRITISH ARMED FORCES FEDERATION (BAFF).
2. Comparable bodies have for years served
the armed forces of allied countries such as the United States
and Australia, with official cooperation and no negative impact
on operational effectiveness or military discipline. The proposed
federation is, however, designed to be a specifically British
solution for the British armed forces. It will reflect and respect
the ethos and robust traditions of the three fighting services.
It will meet all requirements of British military and other law,
including international conventions adopted by the United Kingdom.
3. The federation's mission shall be to
represent, foster and promote the professional, welfare, and other
legitimate interests of all members of the federation in their
capacity as serving or retired personnel of the fighting services
of the United Kingdom, and in so doing help to maximise operational
efficiency and improve the retention of trained personnel.
4. The federation will be a democratic representative
institution answerable to its members. Membership of the federation
will be open to all personnel irrespective of rank, branch of
service or gender. The main membership categories will be Ordinary
Membership (Regular), Ordinary Membership (Reserve Forces) and
Veteran Membership. In responding to the requirements of its members,
the federation will act in the interests of all serving personnel
and veterans but will not countenance any pressure on individuals
to join.
5. Within resources, the activities of the
federation may include:
(a) professional and career development by
the provision of education and information;
(b) liaison, monitoring and response to proposals
or developments within the Services, in Parliament, in the provision
of public services or in the commercial sector which have a specific
impact on forces personnel;
(c) appropriate advocacy and consultation
to protect and improve the conditions of service life including
pay, accommodation, medical and welfare services, resettlement
and all other areas of personnel support;
(d) appropriate support to personnel facing
court martial or other legal proceedings in connection with their
service (the federation will not normally comment on any specific
case within the systems of military justice and administrative
discipline); and
(e) the negotiation for members of a range
of insurance, financial and other benefits, discounts or affinity
deals.
6. The federation will not be beholden to
any political party, pressure group, or defence industry interest.
While supporting the cross-party consensus on the need for robust,
adequately-funded but cost-effective forces serving the Nation
as determined by the Government of the day, the federation will
not be a defence pressure group. The federation will not take
a view on matters of defence strategy or operational decisions,
although it may raise legitimate subsidiary matters affecting
personnel. Parliamentary liaison will be strictly on a cross-party
basis.
7. The federation will not be a trade union
and, above all, it will not conduct or condone any form of industrial
action or insubordination within the armed forces. The federation
affirms the vital role of the Armed Forces chain of command in
representing the interests of its personnel. The federation will
seek to agree with the Ministry of Defence appropriate mechanisms
for the exchange of information with the chain of command as well
as centrally. A code of conduct will be adopted, and potential
disagreements will normally be raised centrally to avoid placing
serving personnel in difficulty with their chain of command, or
vice versa. The federation will act to protect serving members
in their federation-related activities within the agreed code
of conduct.
8. The federation will not seek to supplant
the role of any existing charity or other agency involved in service
welfare. Where appropriate the federation may help to direct members
to appropriate sources of advice or assistance.
9. Work is already under way on matters
such as the structure and legal format of the federation, and
staffing. A business plan is being prepared.
10. This draft statement of intent outlines
the basic principles established so far. Work continues on detailed
aspects of the proposals with a view to wider consultation throughout
the armed forces community, and with the Ministry of Defence.
February 2006
| 
