DPF Circulars

DPF CIRCULAR NO. 09/01

15 May  2001

Armed Forces Bill

The modest proposals to extend MDP jurisdiction and also bring the disciplinary procedures into line with those of HDP forces have been lost.

Armed Forces Minister, John Spellar has written to the DPF in the following terms:

"The Government has been discussing with the Opposition parties how to secure the passage of the Armed Forces Bill before the dissolution of Parliament. I am afraid that it has become very clear that the only basis on which they will agree to the accelerated procedures necessary to pass the Bill in these circumstances is if all the provisions concerning the Ministry of Defence Police are removed. The Government has had no choice but to amend the Bill accordingly.

This development is both surprising and disappointing. The official Opposition singled out the Ministry of Defence Police proposals for a positive welcome when the Bill was introduced in December. The reason for their change of heart is unclear. I know that the Federation has campaigned hard over a number of years for proposals such as those included in the Bill, and the Government remains fully of the view that they would have been very beneficial in helping the force to increase its contribution to the joined-up policing of the community. I appreciate also that the loss of this opportunity to remedy problems with disciplinary procedures will be keenly felt by the Federation.

I am sorry to have to convey this news to you.

John Spellar MP"

The Bill returned to the Commons on Friday 11 May for final debate prior to the dissolution of Parliament. Minister Spellar said: "the Government very much regretted loosing such useful measures" and went on to accuse the Conservatives of playing party political games. The way in which the Opposition had behaved was an insult to the MDP and their representatives in the DPF, he said.

Robert Key, for the Opposition Front Bench said he had welcomed the amendments but blamed the Government for caving in and failing to negotiate in the House of Lords.

Members will know that the clauses had successfully passed scrutiny during the early stages in the Commons including the Select Committee process. Their Lordships gave a cautious second reading on 23 April despite some concerns being raised. Unfortunately, owing to the timing of the General Election, the measures were blocked by the Opposition and as a consequence all was lost.

Naturally we are dismayed at the outcome. Clearly we shall need to revisit the whole issue by making representations to the new Government during the next Parliament.

Yours sincerely

D King
General Secretary