Legislative Consent: The Armed Forces Bill

The Armed Forces Bill (the Bill) was introduced in the House of Commons on 26 January 2021.

The long title to the Bill notes that it is a Bill “to continue the Armed Forces Act 2006; to amend that Act and other enactments relating to the armed forces; to make provision about service in the reserve forces; to make provision about pardons for certain abolished service offences; to make provision about war pensions; and for connected purposes.”

The Bill is subject to the legislative consent process under Standing Order 29. This is when the consent of the Welsh Parliament is sought by the UK Government to legislate on an issue which could normally fall within the competence of the Senedd.

The Legislative Consent Motion for the Armed Forces Bill was agreed in Plenary on 23 November 2021.

Sixth Senedd Scrutiny

Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum (Memorandum No. 2) – June 2021

On 30 June 2021, the Welsh Government laid a Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum (PDF 128KB).

The Business Committee agreed (PDF 41.4KB) that the Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Armed Forces Bill (Memorandum No. 2) will be considered and reported on, to the Senedd, by 21 October 2021.

The Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee laid its report on the Memoranda (PDF 158KB) on 6 October 2021. The Welsh Government responded (PDF 335KB) to the report on 19 November 2021.

The Equality and Social Justice Committee laid its report (PDF 466KB) on the Legislative Consent Memoranda on 12 October 2021.

Legislative Consent Memorandum – May 2021

The Welsh Government laid a Legislative Consent Memorandum (PDF 89.6KB) on the Bill before the Senedd on 28 May 2021.

The Business Committee referred the Legislative Consent Memorandum to the Equality and Social Justice Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee, with a reporting deadline of 14 October 2021 (PDF 40.4KB).

Fifth Senedd Scrutiny

Legislative Consent Memorandum – February 2021

The Welsh Government laid a Legislative Consent Memorandum (LCM) (PDF 88KB) on the Bill before the Senedd on 18 February 2021.

The Business Committee referred the LCM to the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee, with a reporting deadline of Thursday 25 March 2021. (PDF 58.3KB)

The Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee laid its report (PDF 157KB) on the Legislative Consent Memoranda on 24 March 2021.

Further information on the Senedd’s consideration of the LCM, including relevant correspondence, can be found under ‘Related Meetings’.