HL Deb 19 October 1999 vol 605 cc935-6

3.3 p.m.

The Earl of Carlisle

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Armed Forces redress of complaint system is currently operating satisfactorily.

Lord Burlison

My Lords, complaints from members of the Armed Forces are treated seriously and are dealt with fairly. Recognising the importance to the Armed Forces of an effective internal procedure for the redress of complaints, we have been reviewing the procedures and have identified some scope for administrative improvements.

The Earl of Carlisle

My Lords, I am very grateful to the Minister for that Answer, which is most promising. Recently there have been too many cases where a period lasting as long as two years and over has elapsed between redress and compensation, even when the redress has been upheld. Is that not damaging to the morale of the individual serviceman or woman, his or her family and the unit? Indeed, is it not damaging to the reputation of the Armed Forces as an employer? It also has bad effects on recruitment and retention. In view of the fact that the Government have said that they will not introduce into the Armed Forces rights of association, will they urgently review the redress of complaints system?

Lord Burlison

My Lords, I thank the noble Earl for his question and for his reference to morale in the Armed Forces. The present system deals with issues and complaints as low down as possible and as quickly as possible. Normally, complaints are settled by the chain of command, right up to the service board when that is necessary. Of course, the noble Earl is aware that the Armed Forces generally are not bound by employment legislation. At present, consideration is being given to the complaints and grievances procedures that exist within the Armed Forces generally. As far as concerns rights of association, it is Ministry of Defence policy not to have a union or a federation of services. My view is that that does not have a demoralising effect on morale of the Armed Forces.

Lord Burnham

My Lords, in how many cases is that procedure invoked annually, and how long does each case take to resolve?

Lord Burlison

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that question. I shall probably not be able to answer it specifically. However, I have looked at the figures concerned and I am, of course, prepared to write to the noble Lord. According to the latest available figures, there were about 180 cases. Of those, 57 were settled after a 12-month period. However, on occasions cases can be quite lengthy. The very fact that the procedures are being looked at indicates that efforts are being made to shorten and, it is hoped, expedite those procedures.

Lord Elton

My Lords, the noble Lord said that there had already been a review and recommendations for changes. Is the noble Lord able to tell us where we can find a description of that system, of the review and of the proposed changes that are to be made?

Lord Burlison

My Lords, I gather that the Army has carried out some of the review. Its findings have not yet been published. The Armed Forces generally will need to study them to see whether they can be adopted on a general basis. The quinquennial review will take place in 2000–2001. That will provide the opportunity to change the law in this respect. Having said that, the changes that are likely to come into being are being considered. It would not be right for me at this time to judge either the extent of those changes or, indeed, assess the likely outcome of the review.