Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to improve the Service complaints system.

The outgoing Commissioner, Dr Susan Atkins, and I are confident that an effective and fair complaints system has been agreed and is contained in the Bill now going through Parliament. It is one that will give Service Personnel access to a redress system they deserve.

Last Tuesday, I was delighted to announce that Nicola Williams is the Government’s preferred candidate for the post of Service Complaints Commissioner, and she will now go forward to a House of Commons Defence Committee pre-appointment hearing on Wednesday 26 November. She is an outstanding candidate and I am sure she will undertake the role with great vigour and insight.