It's vital that the ombudsman is given teeth. This isn't
just about investigating dodgy accommodation or cold breakfasts.. this is also about preventing families from being given a bum deal by JPA, injured troops being unfairly eased out of the door or SPVA/Defence Business Services bodging or whitewashing pension shortcomings.
The state wants the ombudsman to simply consider whether or not a complaint about either was handled properly and not the underlying issue. That is unacceptable.
I hope that the MoD's unwillingness to take
genuine steps to look after the troops is exposed because, lets face it, look at what we have currently.. supplicant, obedient and compliant AFPRB and AFPS trustees. The state wants an impotent ombudsman as well. Now, more than ever, a thorn in Michael Fallon's side is needed.
Lord Rosser (Lab):
One reason for providing those wider powers—which is what this amendment seeks to do—is that, under the present arrangements, the commissioner has never been asked by a Secretary of State for Defence to report on a particular area of concern that she or the Secretary of State may have. It is therefore not credible to argue that the ability of the Secretary of State to call for such reports covers the situation.
A situation or treatment of an individual or individuals could be questionable or unacceptable without there being evidence of maladministration—assuming there was a willingness to make such a complaint, which relates to process, and whether a complaint has been conducted in a procedurally sound way.