Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Service Justice System

Monday 15 March 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Armed Forces Bill includes measures to reform the service justice system.
  • The reforms include creating an independent Service Police Complaints Commissioner.
  • A serious crime unit will be established to ensure investigators are skilled and capable.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sarah Dines
Justice & Courts Defence
Context

Inquiries about the service justice system and its reforms.

Question

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

Answer from 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 and an independent review of policing and prosecutorial processes for dealing with serious criminal offending overseas.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide additional specifics beyond what is in the Armed Forces Bill

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Sarah Dines
Defence Veterans
Context

Inquiries about specific measures beyond the Armed Forces Bill to improve service justice.

Question

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?

Answer from 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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide additional specifics beyond what is in the Armed Forces Bill

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email