Oral Answers to Questions

Emma Lewell-Buck Excerpts

Monday 18th November 2024 Commons Chamber

[John Healey]

I will indeed. In the four months that this Government have been in office we have stepped up support for Ukraine and speeded up delivery of the military aid promised. This is a Government now spending more on military aid than ever before on behalf of the UK. I pay tribute to the Conservative party for the fact that the UK is and remains united for Ukraine.

[Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck (South Shields) (Lab)]

6. What progress he has made on establishing an independent armed forces commissioner.

[Mrs Sarah Russell (Congleton) (Lab)]

11. What progress he has made on establishing an independent armed forces commissioner.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Minister for the Armed Forces (Luke Pollard)]

The Armed Forces Commissioner Bill is a landmark piece of legislation and a major step taken by this Government to renew the contract between the nation and those who serve. Second Reading of the Bill will be later today and the commissioner will be a strong independent champion for our armed forces and their families, improving parliamentary oversight and getting to grips with the welfare issues faced by our armed forces.

[Mrs Lewell-Buck]

I thank the Minister for all he is doing to improve the lives of our armed forces communities. He will be aware of the deeply distressing accounts of rape and sexual assault from the Defence Committee’s report on women in the armed forces. Will he please revisit our recommendations and those of the Lyons review, so that those serious cases can be heard in civilian, not service courts?

[Luke Pollard]

My hon. Friend is exactly right to raise this very serious issue. In opposition we made a commitment that murder, manslaughter and rape cases would be tried in civilian, rather than military courts. I encourage her to keep asking questions as we get closer to the armed forces Bill, which will be an opportunity to put that right.