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Armed Forces Bill

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister, but my basic point is that ““implied authority”” must be the equivalent of taking a reasonable course of action. Let me give a simple example: the Minister touched on giving the enemy information that would be useful to it. That is a common military tactic—it is called deception. Sometimes it fails, especially at a low level, and servicemen could find themselves extremely vulnerable under this charge. I am afraid that I disagree with the Minister. However, it is far too early to start dividing, and I will not be returning to the issue again. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. [Amendment No. 2 not moved.] Clause 3 [Obstructing operations]: [Amendment No. 3 had been retabled as Amendment No. 4A.]