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Armed Forces Bill

moved Amendment No. 68: After Clause 340, insert the following new clause- ““SPECIAL PROVISION FOR SERVICE PERSONNEL UNDE THE AGE OF 18 (1) Service personnel under the age of 18 are not permitted to serve in combat areas. (2) Service personnel under the age of 18 are not permitted to carry out guard duty with live weapons. (3) Service personnel under the age of 17 are to be accommodated in dedicated locations, and particular attention is to be given to their care.”” The noble Lord said: My Lords, we take very seriously the issue in the amendment of whether we are meeting the responsibilities that are necessary for the under 18s. That is not just because it was such a major feature of the Deepcut inquiry, but also because of our international obligations. If the business programme had allowed us time to debate the Bill yesterday, I thought that today we would come to this amendment when the House was fuller than it is now. I want a proper debate on this matter. Given the way in which the business has been handled, I can probably save considerable time this evening, if the Minister agrees that we return to this at Third Reading. It is an important fundamental principle about how under 18s are handled as members of the Armed Forces. I beg to move.