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Armed Forces Bill

The case made by the noble Lord, Lord Thomas of Gresford, as reinforced just now by the noble Lord, Lord Borrie, is enormously powerful. I look at this primarily from the point of view of sharing what the Minister has just said about the importance of providing and maintaining a comprehensive military justice system. That is important, but it is equally important not to overload that system or unnecessarily to present it with difficulties that can be avoided. Parliament has recognised the need for special safeguards when conducting trials of juveniles. It would be unnecessarily difficult for a court martial to apply those safeguards. The matter could be dealt with much more simply if the amendment, or words to its effect, were to be carried in due course. I recognise that the noble Lord, Lord Borrie, said that the precedents for all this go back to the 18th century, but there were not too many safeguards in our domestic law in the18th century for the trial of children under the age of 18. I very much look forward to the Minister’s reply, which I hope will be favourable.