---

Armed Forces Bill

moved Amendment No. 185: Page 180, line 31, at end insert- ““(e) has appropriate military qualifications; or (f) has been approved by the Chiefs of Staff. ( ) The Secretary of State must by regulations specify the appropriate military qualifications mentioned in subsection (2). ( ) Such qualifications must include appropriate military uniformed service experience.”” The noble and gallant Lord said: The importance of the chain of command has been mentioned on more than one occasion during discussion on this Bill. That chain of command goes from the front line right to the chiefs of staff in the Ministry of Defence. A fair and trusted military justice system is a significant part of a trusted chain of command. The noble and gallant Lord, Lord Craig, spoke earlier about the duty of care and the importance of trust in the chain of command. The Director of Service Prosecutions will clearly have a key role to play in maintaining the trust that is developed in the Bill. My amendment therefore suggests that he should both have appropriate military qualifications—I am aware that the noble Lords, Lord Garden and Lord Thomas of Gresford, have suggested amendments that also refer to this—and be approved by the chiefs of staff. I had failed to notice that the amendment as drafted states ““or””; I would like it to state ““and”” if it is possible. I beg to move.