Moved by
Lord Judd
7: After Clause 14, insert the following new Clause—
“Enlistment of minors
(1) The Armed Forces Act 2006 is amended as follows.
(2) After section 343B (interpretation of Part) insert—
“Part 16B
REPORT ON THE ENLISTMENT OF MINORS
343C Report on the enlistment of minors
(1) The Secretary of State must in each calendar year—
(a) prepare a report on military service by minors; and
(b) lay a copy of the report before each House of Parliament.
(2) The report must evaluate the effects on the individual, and on the armed forces, of the enlistment of persons under the age of 18.
(3) In preparing the report the Secretary of State must have regard in particular to—
(a) the principle that the best interests of minors must be paramount in all policy relating to them;
(b) participation by service people under the age of 18 in accredited education relative to the statutory standards of participation that apply to civilians of the same age under the Education and Skills Act 2008; and
(c) any implications for the armed forces, including financial implications.””