HC Deb 15 July 1992 vol 211 c819W
Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether he has any plans to amend Royal Air Force service rules to allow documents used in any proceedings against service personnel to be made available to any person nominated by him other than a solicitor;

(2) if he will list those proceedings against members of the Royal Air Force where documents involved in those proceedings cannot be disclosed to anyone other than the officer involved and his solicitors.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

In the case of disciplinary proceedings, disclosure of documents involved is made to the defence as part of current criminal law practice. In the case of administrative proceedings, disclosure of special narrative reports made under certain of the Queen's Regulations for the RAF is restricted to the subject, officer or airman, or to another member of the RAF selected by the subject or to his solicitor, to assist the subject to prepare a statement in reply to the report.

There are no plans to extend the facility to anyone else.

Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received about the disclosure of documents used in any proceedings brought against RAF service personnel to persons other than solicitors.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

I am not aware of any recent representations other than those from the hon. Member.