Service Complaints Commissioner’s Fifth Annual Report

(Limited Text - Ministerial Extracts only)

Thursday 21st March 2013 Written Statements

[The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Mr Mark Francois)]

I am pleased to lay before Parliament today the Service Complaints Commissioner’s fifth annual report on the fairness, effectiveness and efficiency of the service complaints system.

Since the introduction of the service complaints system in 2008, the commissioner has played a key role in the development of, and the improvements made to, the complaints process. This contribution is recognised by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the services, and the role of the commissioner is now firmly established as an important part of our complaints system.

I and the service chiefs remain fully committed to the continuous improvement of the complaints process and the manner in which we handle complaints. Notwithstanding that the SCC cannot yet assess the complaints system as fair, effective or efficient, I am pleased that this report acknowledges the progress and changes that have been made by the services in 2012 and those planned for 2013. We will continue to work closely with the commissioner to ensure the complaints system is one in which service personnel and their families have confidence.

I will respond formally to the commissioner once MOD has considered fully the findings of the report and the recommendations made.