Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Sarah Dines and Johnny Mercer

Monday 15th March 2021 Commons Chamber

[Miss Sarah Dines (Derbyshire Dales) (Con)]

What steps his Department is taking to help improve the service justice system. [R]

[The Minister for Defence People and Veterans (Johnny Mercer)]

The Armed Forces Bill includes measures to reform the service justice system. This includes the creation of an independent Service Police Complaints Commissioner. In addition, we have commissioned an independent review of policing and prosecutorial processes for dealing with serious criminal offending overseas.

[Miss Dines]

As my hon. Friend knows, there are many service personnel and veterans in Derbyshire Dales, and they expect to see real justice in the service justice system. Can my hon. Friend say what else, other than what is in the Armed Forces Bill, is going to be brought forward to protect justice in the system?

[Johnny Mercer]

There is a suite of measures in the Armed Forces Bill. The most significant thing we are introducing is a serious crime unit, which will ensure that our investigators are skilled, capable, and have all the tools they need to conduct investigations of a standard that will withstand ECHR compliance tests and such things. We totally understand the need to address not only that issue but the legal side of this matter through the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill. We are determined for uniform to be no hiding place for those who commit offences, and as we go forward, we will improve the standard of those investigations. These provisions will be a serious step towards doing that.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Sarah Dines and Johnny Mercer

Monday 3rd February 2020 Commons Chamber

[Miss Sarah Dines (Derbyshire Dales) (Con)]

19. What steps his Department is taking to (a) recruit and (b) retain armed forces personnel.

[The Minister for Defence People and Veterans (Johnny Mercer)]

We remain committed to maintaining the overall size of the armed forces. There is a range of measures under way to improve recruitment and retention, and these are kept under constant review.

[Miss Dines]

Can the Minister assure me that his Department intends to keep the present number of Marines, not decrease it, bearing in mind that they are such a vital force to protect this country?

[Johnny Mercer]

I can confirm that we have no plans to reduce the size of the Royal Marines. They are an extremely important part of this country’s defence. They contribute 47% of individuals who go off to our UK special forces group. They are evolving and developing; the future commando force concept is very exciting. There are no plans to reduce the number of Royal Marines at this stage.