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Armed Forces Bill

First, I am grateful not to be a Minister in the MOD. I never had any expectation of being so. However, I have always argued from the Back Benches that whatever our forces do should comply with the law of this country and international law, which should not be downgraded. A sentence of up to life is excessive and should not be on the statute book. The Library has provided a host of alternative sentences, even to detention. They include dismissal, forfeiture of seniority, reduction in rank, a fine, a severe reprimand, stoppages of pay and minor punishments, including community punishments, which would be appropriate for conscientious objectors. We allow community activity and that would be appropriate for someone who was akin to a conscientious objector. The Library paper says of community punishments that"““a sentence of this kind may not be passed unless the court considers that the offence is serious enough to warrant it””." A serious offence therefore leads to such a punishment. That makes it clear that a sentence of up to life is excessive.