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Armed Forces Bill

moved Amendment No. 133: Page 78, line 5, at end insert- ““( ) for the preparation and delivery of standard briefing notes to the prospective members of the court;”” The noble Lord said: I see that in today's groupings list this amendment has been included in the first group. I was not aware of that because on an earlier list, which I have with me, it was in a separate group altogether. As the Minister did not in his reply refer to Amendment No. 133, perhaps he will forgive me if I move it now. This is just a detail, but it is important. Your Lordships will be aware that at the beginning of a court martial, when the panel is drawn together, members are given briefing notes about their duties and responsibilities. All I seek is to ensure that the regulations provide for the preparation and delivery of those notes and that they be standardised and published so that anybody who is appearing in a court martial, in whatever capacity—defendant or otherwise—knows precisely what the members of the court are told. Your Lordships will bear in mind that a panel in a court martial has no training or experience; it is like a jury who have not undergone any course. The panel is unlike magistrates, who will not be sitting unless they have attended various training courses and have sat with more experienced magistrates who can advise and slowly give them the experience that they need. A court martial is created on the spot, and it is very important that the briefing notes received cover all the panel’s responsibilities. I beg to move.