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Armed Forces Bill

moved Amendment No. 71: Page 185, line 10, at end insert- ““(2A) A person may be appointed as the Director of Service Prosecutions only if he has appropriate military qualifications. (2B) The Secretary of State must by regulations specify the appropriate military qualifications referred to in subsection (2A). (2C) The regulations must specify that such qualifications must include appropriate uniformed service experience.”” The noble and gallant Lord said: My Lords, throughout the passage of this important Bill, great emphasis has rightly been placed on the important part played by the commanding officer and the chain of command in the administration of the military justice system. In saying that, I am thinking particularly of the great importance of those involved understanding the demands of operational service. This is why this amendment sought to ensure that the Director of Service Prosecutions had military experience. Certainly I believe that the chiefs of staff must be consulted on the appointment of the Director of Service Prosecutions. Like many other noble Lords, I am particularly grateful for the way in which the Minister has kept us involved during the progress of the Bill. Therefore, on reflection, I have accepted that there may be occasions when there is not a suitable service lawyer to fill the appointment of the Director of Service Prosecutions. I obviously hope that this will be the case only on rare occasions. However, I accept the argument that it would be wrong to create a straitjacket by placing a statutory requirement in the Bill. If such a situation arose—when there was no suitable candidate with military experience—I hope that it would be possible by regulation to ensure that the Director of Service Prosecutions designate undertook an appropriate induction course. It is essential that servicemen and servicewomen have confidence that the Director of Service Prosecutions understands the conditions of operational service. I beg to move.