Armed Forces Bill

Like other Members, I want to compliment both the former and current Minister and the whole team involved in this important Bill. However, the legislation must not only satisfy the needs of the armed forces but the needs of families who, sadly, have lost their children while serving in the armed forces and in peacetime barracks. They, too, are looking for answers in the Bill. The experience of Army life is of immense benefit to the overwhelming majority of young men and women able to take advantage of that career. At the same time, young soldiers are in a vulnerable position. Service life requires strict discipline and a tough regime. Sometimes, however, discipline and toughness become bullying and harassment. Our task is to minimise the opportunities for that to happen, and when it does, to provide a ready source of remedy to those so abused and harassed. I referred earlier to Nicholas Blake QC, who undertook the inquiry into the deaths at Deepcut. Like him, I do not believe that the current proposals in the Bill go far enough to ensure independent supervision and review of the discipline and complaints system. Like him, I believe that there is"““a danger that an historic opportunity will be lost for the Armed Forces to obtain independent assistance to achieve the goals they have set themselves to ensure the welfare of trainees and soldiers is effectively addressed.””" I, too, believe that the"““establishment of the office of a ‘Commissioner of Military Complaints’ is now an essential step in improving confidence, transparency and justice””." Regrettably, we did not have an opportunity to examine in detail new clause 4. When my hon. Friend the Minister considers the detail of the 34 recommendations that Nicholas Blake put forward, I urge him to consider especially his recommendation for an independent armed forces ombudsman—someone who is genuinely independent and has power to investigate complaints.