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Written Question
Council of Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Associations
Monday 10th March 2025

Asked by: Viscount Trenchard (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will ensure that the external scrutiny team of the Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Associations will remain independent of the Ministry of Defence if the Council of the Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Associations is converted into a non-departmental public body.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Defence Ministers are very grateful for the hard work of the External Scrutiny Team (EST). Alistair Carns DSO MC OBE, Minister for Veterans and People, expressed this sentiment on 17 December 2024, when he placed a copy in the Library of the House of the EST’s Annual Statutory Report 2024 on the health of the Reserve Forces.

Defence is clear that the EST is indeed independent, since it directs its own business, and we would aim to ensure that this independence is maintained if the Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Associations are converted into a Non-Departmental Public Body.

Written Question
Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Associations
Friday 14th February 2025

Asked by: Viscount Trenchard (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether the external scrutiny team of the Council of the Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Associations will be equally independent of the Ministry of Defence if the Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Associations are converted into a non-departmental public body.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Defence Ministers greatly value the independent reports produced by the External Scrutiny Team (EST). The future of the EST will likely be a topic for discussion once the new Armed Forces Commissioner is appointed. We would seek to retain the independence of the EST if there are any changes to the extant arrangements.

Written Question
Council of Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Associations
Monday 10th February 2025

Asked by: Viscount Trenchard (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the value of the independence of the external scrutiny team of the Council of the Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Associations.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the noble Lord to the answer I gave him on 29 January 2025, to Question HL4334.

Written Question
Council of Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Associations
Wednesday 29th January 2025

Asked by: Viscount Trenchard (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the usefulness of the annual reports of the external scrutiny team of the Council of Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Associations, and of whether the reports are genuinely independent of the Ministry of Defence under the current arrangements.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Defence Ministers are very grateful for the hard work of the External Scrutiny Team (EST) led by Maj Gen (Retd) Simon Lalor. My hon. Friend Alistair Carns DSO MC OBE, Minister for Veterans and People, expressed the same sentiment on 17 December 2024, when he placed a copy in the Library of the House the EST’s Annual Statutory Report 2024 on the health of the Reserve Forces. A copy of that Report and Alistair Carns’ response can be found at the following link: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2024-12-17/hcws326

I am clear that the EST is indeed independent, since it directs its own business, and I greatly value its reports as a result. The future of the EST will likely be a topic for discussion once the new Armed Forces Commissioner is appointed.

Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 05 Sep 2022
Ukraine Update

"My Lords, first, I thank the Minister for repeating the Statement. Secondly, I was delighted by the supportive stance taken by the noble Lords, Lord Coaker and Lord Newby. I think it is right that in his final day of office the Prime Minister should be acknowledged for his robust …..."
Viscount Trenchard - View Speech

View all Viscount Trenchard (Con - Excepted Hereditary) contributions to the debate on: Ukraine Update
Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 14 Oct 2021
Royal Navy: Ships and Frigates

"My Lords, it is very good to see that the Government are investing in national shipbuilding infrastructure, but we know that it will still be important to ensure best value for money through the highest levels of productivity. Does my noble friend see value in aligning these programmes with those …..."
Viscount Trenchard - View Speech

View all Viscount Trenchard (Con - Excepted Hereditary) contributions to the debate on: Royal Navy: Ships and Frigates
Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 07 Sep 2021
Armed Forces Bill

"My Lords, it is a great pleasure to follow the noble and gallant Lord, Lord Craig of Radley, who made some very good points in his excellent speech. I thank my noble friend the Minister for introducing this Bill and explaining its purposes. We tend not to debate often enough …..."
Viscount Trenchard - View Speech

View all Viscount Trenchard (Con - Excepted Hereditary) contributions to the debate on: Armed Forces Bill
Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 13 Apr 2021
Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill

"My Lords, I had intended to involve myself deeply in the passage of this important Bill through your Lordships’ House, although I hesitate to speak on matters about which I am much less qualified to pronounce than the learned and gallant noble Lords who have made such a great contribution …..."
Viscount Trenchard - View Speech

View all Viscount Trenchard (Con - Excepted Hereditary) contributions to the debate on: Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill
Speech in Lords Chamber - Wed 20 Jan 2021
Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill

"My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend Lady Goldie for introducing this debate today and for following through on an important manifesto commitment. More than 600 British service men and women lost their lives in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is essential that we protect our …..."
Viscount Trenchard - View Speech

View all Viscount Trenchard (Con - Excepted Hereditary) contributions to the debate on: Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill
Speech in Lords Chamber - Wed 04 Nov 2020
HMS “Queen Elizabeth”

"My Lords, the deployment of HMS “Queen Elizabeth” to the South China Sea would show that Britain is prepared to make a contribution to the protection of freedom of navigation through the South China Sea, which is vital to protect rules-based free trade in the region. Does the Minister agree …..."
Viscount Trenchard - View Speech

View all Viscount Trenchard (Con - Excepted Hereditary) contributions to the debate on: HMS “Queen Elizabeth”