Contributions
727 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDOverseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill (Fifth sitting)I beg to move amendment 25, in clause 1, page 2, line 2, leave out “5” and insert “10”14 Oct 2020HANSARDOverseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill (Fifth sitting)I thank my right hon. Friend for that remark. It is very clear that the Bill in its current form will not help that case if that is repeated ever again. The Government have let us…14 Oct 2020HANSARDOverseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill (Fifth sitting)It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Stringer. I start by thanking you for the way you have skilfully conducted proceedings through this Committee stage so far.…14 Oct 2020HANSARDOverseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill (Fifth sitting)Thank you, Mr Stringer, I was about to get to the point around our amendment. Part 1 sets a five-year limit on the prosecution of current or former armed forces personnel for…14 Oct 2020HANSARDOverseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill (Fifth sitting)I thank the hon. Gentleman for that remark. We also learned last week from the witnesses that, while veterans may welcome the intent of the Government to take forward action, when…14 Oct 2020HANSARDOverseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill (Fifth sitting)I do wish to move it.14 Oct 2020HANSARDOverseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill (Fifth sitting)Yes, I wish to put that to a vote. Amendment proposed : 26, in clause 1, page 2, line 4, leave out “5” and insert “10”.— (Stephen Morgan.) Question put, That the amendment be made.14 Oct 2020HANSARDOverseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill (Sixth sitting)I rise to support new clause 1. I have said many times throughout this process that the Opposition will work constructively with the Government to get the Bill right, to protect…14 Oct 2020HANSARDOverseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill (Fourth sitting)Q So it was quite unusual? Judge Blackett: It was unusual. Whether it was pressure of time or whether officials wondered what I was going to say and did not want to hear it, I do…08 Oct 2020HANSARDOverseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill (Fourth sitting)Q What difference would that formal consultation have made? Judge Blackett: I would have hoped that we could have influenced the Bill, because I think a Bill is a good idea, but…08 Oct 2020HANSARDOverseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill (Third sitting)Q There are proposals to put the armed forces covenant into law next year. Do you think a legally binding covenant and the Bill are compatible under English law? Charles Byrne:…08 Oct 2020HANSARDOverseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill (Third sitting)Q 155 Thank you, Chair. May I place on the record our gratitude for the work of the British Legion and other charities in this challenging time for our country? It has been an…08 Oct 2020HANSARDOverseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill (Third sitting)Could we go back to constructive questions, rather than an interrogation?08 Oct 2020HANSARDOverseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill (Third sitting)Q I understand that the British Legion has seen a copy of the Bill’s impact assessment. Are there any concerns in there that you want to bring to the attention of the Committee?…08 Oct 2020HANSARDOverseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill (Third sitting)Q Thank you for those answers, and for setting out your concerns about part 2 of the Bill. What do you want to see addressed? What would improve the legislation, based on the…08 Oct 2020HANSARDOverseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill (Third sitting)Can I put the same question to the general? General Sir John McColl: First, I absolutely agree with Charles’s support for the intent of the Bill. The pernicious harassment of…08 Oct 2020HANSARDOverseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill (Third sitting)So it would breach the armed forces covenant, in your view? Charles Byrne: That is what we think, yes.08 Oct 2020HANSARDOverseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill (Third sitting)Do you think a legally binding covenant is compatible with what we see in the Bill, in terms of the proposals that will be brought before Parliament next year? Charles Byrne: It…08 Oct 2020HANSARDOverseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill (Third sitting)Can I put the same question to the general?08 Oct 2020HANSARDOverseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill (Third sitting)The proposals for next year are to bring the armed forces covenant into law. Do you believe that a legally binding covenant and this Bill would be compatible under English law?…08 Oct 2020