Question
asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Answers by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 25 February (Official Report, cols. 429-31), whether the British Armed Forces Federation was or will be asked for its response to the proposals set out in the consultation paper Transforming Tribunals; and whether they will place a copy of any response from the federation in the Library of the House.
Answer
Transforming Tribunals was published on 28 November, both in hard copy and on the Ministry of Justice website at www.justice.gov.uk/publications/cp3007.htm. A number of service organisations have responded to the consultation, including the Royal Air Forces Association, the Royal British Legion, Combat Stress, the Army Benevolent Fund and the British Limbless Ex-Servicemen's Association. The Pensions Appeal Tribunal also made a detailed submission, which was the subject of Lord Morris' Question. Copies of all of these documents have been placed in the Library of the House. The British Armed Forces Federation did not submit a response. Although the consultation period closed on 22 February, the Government will gladly consider further representations from service organisations that have not already responded. No final decisions have yet been made. The Government are currently considering the representations they have received, and are committed to publishing a response by the end of May.