Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Coaker on 19 December (HL3498), what full or part time posts have been created within the armed forces to support the role of Service Complaints Ombudsman, broken down by service.

While the Service Complaints Ombudsman for the Armed Forces (SCOAF) is a public appointment, entirely independent from the Ministry Of Defence (MOD) and has an office outside the MOD estate, the Department has a responsibility to ensure the Ombudsman is provided with sufficient funding.

Since the establishment of the SCOAF in January 2016, the MOD has worked closely with the current Ombudsman and her predecessors to regularly review and identify the required resources for them to carry out the functions associated with the role. Should additional resource be required, the MOD will work with the Ombudsman to determine how best to address the need.

The work of the Ombudsman is currently supported by two full time Civil Servants working within the Royal Navy, in addition to one Regular Officer (0.75 full time equivalent) and two full time Civil Servants within the Army. The Royal Air Forces does not have any formal positions established to directly support the SCOAF.