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Armed Forces Bill

Before I had given a lot of thought to this topic, I did not think that the rules of engagement should be in the Bill. Further thought on my part and the debate so far have strongly reinforced my second view that there is a place for covering rules of engagement in the Bill. Some excellent points have been made by noble Lords and noble and gallant Lords, so I do not intend to repeat them. It is, however, important to highlight the fact that the amendment would make it absolutely clear that the rules of engagement have been endorsed by Government and the Secretary of State, and that the military are operating those rules of engagement, having been given the direction and guidance of Ministers. Without that, there is a possible danger that, in the post-hostilities phase, questions will be asked about whether the military have been following the guidance and the direction that they had been given. I therefore strongly endorse the amendment because it brings to the fore the fact that it is a ministerial and political initiation, which gives the guidance and direction to the servicemen who will be carrying out the operation.