Clauses 42 to 55 agreed to. New clause 2 negatived. New clause 3 debated and negatived on division (4 to 7). New clause 4, discussed with new clause 5, debated and withdrawn. New clause 6 negatived on division (4 to 7). New clause 8 debated and negatived on division (4 to 7). New clause 9, discussed with new clauses 10, 11 and 14, debated and negatived on division (3 to 7). New clause 10 negatived on division (3 to 7). New clause 11 negatived on division (3 to 7). New clause 12 negatived on division (3 to 7). New clause 13, discussed with new clause 15, debated and negatived on division (3 to 7). New clause 14 negatived on division (3 to 7). New clause 15 negatived on division (3 to 7). New clause 16 debated and negatived on division (3 to 7). New clause 17 debated and negatived on division (3 to 7). Schedules 1 to 7 agreed to.

Clauses 42 to 55 agreed to. New clause 2 negatived. New clause 3 debated and negatived on division (4 to 7). New clause 4, discussed with new clause 5, debated and withdrawn. New clause 6 negatived on division (4 to 7). New clause 8 debated and negatived on division (4...

A debate on Armed Forces Day will take place in the House of Commons chamber on 26 June 2025.

A debate on Armed Forces Day will take place in the House of Commons chamber on 26 June 2025.

Following on from the previous question, the opportunities are not just for defence but for the NHS. In January, in the week of Trump’s inauguration, I went cross-party to visit Ukraine so that we could offer our support. While there I had the privilege of meeting veterans, many of whom...

Following on from the previous question, the opportunities are not just for defence but for the NHS. In January, in the week of Trump’s inauguration, I went cross-party to visit Ukraine so that we could offer our support. While there I had the privilege of meeting veterans, many of whom...

The Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill 2019-2021 was introduced in the House of Commons in March 2020. It was introduced in the House Lords unamended in November 2020. The Lords made a number of amendments and now the Bill is in a period of ping pong. The Commons will consider the latest Lords amendments on 27 April 2021. This paper has been updated accordingly.

The Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill 2019-2021 was introduced in the House of Commons in March 2020. It was introduced in the House Lords unamended in November 2020. The Lords made a number of amendments and now the Bill is in a period of ping pong. The Commons...

Lords consideration of Commons reasons and amendments. Motion A: Lords amendment 1 was not insisted on, Commons amendments 1A to 1G, 1J, 1K, 1M and 1N in lieu were agreed to, Commons amendment 1Q in lieu was agreed to with amendment 1R, Commons amendments 1H, 1L and 1P were disagreed to, and Lords amendments 1S to 1U in lieu were agreed to. Motion B: Lords amendment 2 in lieu, new clause (Investigation of allegations related to overseas operations), after clause 7, was not insisted on. Motion C: Commons amendment 3A was agreed to. Motion D: Lords amendment 4 was not insisted on. Motion E: Lords amendment 5 was not insisted on, and Lords amendment 5B new clause (Duty of care to service personnel), after clause 12, agreed to on division (312 votes to 243) was proposed in lieu. The Bill was returned to the Commons with amendments.

Lords consideration of Commons reasons and amendments. Motion A: Lords amendment 1 was not insisted on, Commons amendments 1A to 1G, 1J, 1K, 1M and 1N in lieu were agreed to, Commons amendment 1Q in lieu was agreed to with amendment 1R, Commons amendments 1H, 1L and 1P were disagreed...

My Lords, we continue to accept and recognise the problem of baseless allegations and legal claims arising from Iraq and Afghanistan under both Labour and Conservative Governments. But the Bill, unamended, just does not do what was promised—that is, to protect British personnel serving overseas from vexatious legal claims and...

My Lords, we continue to accept and recognise the problem of baseless allegations and legal claims arising from Iraq and Afghanistan under both Labour and Conservative Governments. But the Bill, unamended, just does not do what was promised—that is, to protect British personnel serving overseas from vexatious legal claims and...

I thank the noble Lord, Lord Thomas of Gresford, for his Motion B1. He referred to my remarks at Second Reading relating to trying to address protracted and repeated investigations, and I stand by these remarks which, within the context of the Bill, seek to provide greater clarity and certainty...

I thank the noble Lord, Lord Thomas of Gresford, for his Motion B1. He referred to my remarks at Second Reading relating to trying to address protracted and repeated investigations, and I stand by these remarks which, within the context of the Bill, seek to provide greater clarity and certainty...

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Baroness, Lady Goldie, for that reply. I note that she is prepared to refer this issue to Sir Richard Henriques. It would be sensible to see what he has to say. I am sure that he will take on board all the...

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Baroness, Lady Goldie, for that reply. I note that she is prepared to refer this issue to Sir Richard Henriques. It would be sensible to see what he has to say. I am sure that he will take on board all the...

My Lords, I beg to move Motions C and D.

Amendment 3A in Motion C is simply a consequential amendment to the title of the Bill as a result of moving the duty to consider derogation provision.

Commons Reason 4A in Motion D reflects the representations I made to this House previously,...

My Lords, I beg to move Motions C and D.

Amendment 3A in Motion C is simply a consequential amendment to the title of the Bill as a result of moving the duty to consider derogation provision.

Commons Reason 4A in Motion D reflects the representations I made to this House previously,...

My Lords, I have nothing to say on Motion C, which is purely technical.

The original amendment behind Motion D proposed that the ordinary rules of the Limitation Act should continue to apply to members of Her Majesty's Forces serving in overseas operations. The Government’s objection is that this is discriminatory...

My Lords, I have nothing to say on Motion C, which is purely technical.

The original amendment behind Motion D proposed that the ordinary rules of the Limitation Act should continue to apply to members of Her Majesty's Forces serving in overseas operations. The Government’s objection is that this is discriminatory...

My Lords, we are very disappointed that the Government have rejected our amendment to Part 2 of the Bill. We still believe that it

is simply wrong for those who put their life on the line serving Britain overseas to have less access to compensation and justice than the UK...

My Lords, we are very disappointed that the Government have rejected our amendment to Part 2 of the Bill. We still believe that it

is simply wrong for those who put their life on the line serving Britain overseas to have less access to compensation and justice than the UK...

My Lords, I thank both the noble Lord, Lord Thomas of Gresford, and the noble Lord, Lord Tunnicliffe, for their contributions. I think that what emerges is a simple divergence of opinion. I say to both noble Lords that the problem with Amendment 4 is discrimination between different personnel engaged...

My Lords, I thank both the noble Lord, Lord Thomas of Gresford, and the noble Lord, Lord Tunnicliffe, for their contributions. I think that what emerges is a simple divergence of opinion. I say to both noble Lords that the problem with Amendment 4 is discrimination between different personnel engaged...

My Lords, I have said before, and I say again, that the MoD takes seriously its duty of care for service personnel and veterans. There already exists a comprehensive range of legal, pastoral, welfare and mental health support for them. I have previously spoken at length to your Lordships about...

My Lords, I have said before, and I say again, that the MoD takes seriously its duty of care for service personnel and veterans. There already exists a comprehensive range of legal, pastoral, welfare and mental health support for them. I have previously spoken at length to your Lordships about...

My Lords, it is with predictable disappointment, but no less determination, that I return to commending to your Lordships the amendment in my name to establish a duty of care standard. I draw your Lordships’ attention to the fact that in Committee and on Report this amendment stood in the...

My Lords, it is with predictable disappointment, but no less determination, that I return to commending to your Lordships the amendment in my name to establish a duty of care standard. I draw your Lordships’ attention to the fact that in Committee and on Report this amendment stood in the...

My Lords, this amendment from the noble Lord, Lord Dannatt, raises an important issue. Although we did indeed receive the Written Ministerial Statement, it did not go far enough. It is absolutely clear that the Government wish to make commitments to service men and women—the Bill was intended to do...

My Lords, this amendment from the noble Lord, Lord Dannatt, raises an important issue. Although we did indeed receive the Written Ministerial Statement, it did not go far enough. It is absolutely clear that the Government wish to make commitments to service men and women—the Bill was intended to do...

My Lords, we remain four-square behind the important amendment from the noble Lord, Lord Dannatt, to provide a duty of care standard for personnel and veterans who face investigations and litigations. It remains unclear why the Government will not accept this limited proposal. If it is simply because they fear...

My Lords, we remain four-square behind the important amendment from the noble Lord, Lord Dannatt, to provide a duty of care standard for personnel and veterans who face investigations and litigations. It remains unclear why the Government will not accept this limited proposal. If it is simply because they fear...

I thank the noble Lord, Lord Dannatt, the noble Baroness, Lady Smith, and the noble Lord, Lord Tunnicliffe, for their contributions. I realise that this is an important debate. It is an issue which, as I have recognised in previous contributions, elicits very strong and sincerely held views and feelings.

The...

I thank the noble Lord, Lord Dannatt, the noble Baroness, Lady Smith, and the noble Lord, Lord Tunnicliffe, for their contributions. I realise that this is an important debate. It is an issue which, as I have recognised in previous contributions, elicits very strong and sincerely held views and feelings.

The...

My Lords, first, I thank the Minister for her thoughtful and measured response to this short debate. She made a number of entirely legitimate and fair points. She asked whether there could be a statement of detail on the concerns that a duty of care standard would meet, but I...

My Lords, first, I thank the Minister for her thoughtful and measured response to this short debate. She made a number of entirely legitimate and fair points. She asked whether there could be a statement of detail on the concerns that a duty of care standard would meet, but I...

Moved by

Lord Thomas of Gresford

At end insert “but do propose Amendment 2B in lieu—

2B: After Clause 7, insert the following new Clause—

“Investigation of allegations related to overseas operations

(1) In deciding whether to commence criminal proceedings for allegations against a member of Her Majesty’s Forces arising out of overseas operations, the...

Moved by

Lord Thomas of Gresford

At end insert “but do propose Amendment 2B in lieu—

2B: After Clause 7, insert the following new Clause—

“Investigation of allegations related to overseas operations

(1) In deciding whether to commence criminal proceedings for allegations against a member of Her Majesty’s Forces arising out of overseas operations, the...