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Armed Forces Bill

I agree with noble Lords focusing on this very important area. The noble Lord, Lord Garden, raised the point on the Mark 3 Chinook helicopters. He knows very well the importance of making sure that we do not misapply or waste public money. This is a difficult area because have to ensure that we are defining the offence in this clause, such that it takes into account a reckless or negligent misuse or waste where such negligence or misuse could have serious consequences for the unit. Therefore, we believe that it is important for us to maintain that wider definition, not to have it limited by the wording, ““so knowingly to do””. The important point concerns recklessness or negligence. It is important for me to point out that an offence under the clause is not so serious as ever to justify imprisonment. That penalty is not available under the clause. Amendment No. 53, providing that a serviceman who misapplies or wastes public or service money commits no offence if his actions were on the orders of a superior officer, is unnecessary, because if a serviceman acted on the basis of an order, he would not have the necessary intent, negligence or recklessness to commit an offence. On the question of the noble Lord, Lord Garden, of who this is intended to catch, we intend to be able to take action where someone has acted in a reckless or negligent way and, as a result, has led to the misuse or waste of public money.