Ulster Unionist Peer Lord Elliott of Ballinamallard has called on the UK Government to ensure there is consistency throughout the UK in the implementation of the Armed Forces Bill. The Peer was speaking on amendments brought by Lord Morse, which would require appropriate reporting mechanisms to ensure the legislation is working effectively on the ground.

Lord Elliott said:

“During the debate on the Armed Forces Bill this week, I raised the issue of consistency in the implementation of the Bill throughout the UK.

“Throughout the United Kingdom, there are various ways of implementing the Armed Forces Covenant. This is about consistency, because the UK Government, the devolved institutions and the local administrations have different mechanisms and ways of developing and producing results. Only a few months ago, there was a difficulty in Belfast City Council whereby Sinn Féin attempted to block the signing of the Armed Forces Covenant.

“We want to ensure that we have a process of reporting back to Parliament and the people that this is working effectively and consistently.

“I want to see that level of consistency throughout the various administrations and governments. For example, in Northern Ireland we have a different way of developing health services than England does. That is only one example; there are many more, such as education and local government.

“I hope that a reporting mechanism would be a positive implementation of the Armed Forces Covenant. It could be a covenant not only with the Armed Forces, but between the Armed Forces, the Government and the people.”