Armed Forces Bill — Clause 8 — Armed Forces Covenant — Accommodation for Service People in Scotland — 23 Jun 2021 at 17:00

The majority of MPs voted not to require accommodation provided to service people in Scotland to meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard, the main measure of housing quality in Scotland.

MPs were considering the Bill^[1][2][3]

The amendment rejected in this vote was

• Amendment 41, in clause 8, page 13, line 9, at end insert—
• “and
• (e) in relation to accommodation provided to service people in Scotland, a requirement for that accommodation to meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard

The rejected amendment was accompanied by the following explanatory note from its proposer^[4]:

• The intention of this amendment is to ensure that all service housing is regulated in line with the minimum quality housing standard which pertains to whatever part of the United Kingdom that housing is situated in

The rejected amendment would have impacted Clause 8 of the Bill which was titled: Armed forces covenant and provided for an amendment to the Armed Forces Act 2006 introducing new sections, including the one which would have been impacted by this amendment which was titled: Due regard to principles: Scotland which began:

• In exercising in relation to England a relevant function, a person or body specified in subsection (3) must have due regard to—
• (a) the unique obligations of, and sacrifices made by, the armed forces,
• (b) the principle that it is desirable to remove disadvantages arising for service people from membership, or former membership, of the armed forces, and
• (c) the principle that special provision for service people may be justified by the effects on such people of membership, or former membership, of the armed forces.

The relevant bodies, and functions, were very specifically set out. The functions related only to housing, education and health.

The rejected amendment would have added to the list of "relevant housing function"s covered by the provision.

The Armed Forces Covenant^[5] states:

• ...the whole nation has a moral obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families. They deserve our respect and support, and fair treatment
• Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.

--

• [1] Parliament's webpage on the Armed Forces Act 2021, Parliament.uk
• [2] Armed Forces Bill as introduced in the House of Commons on 12 May 2021 , Parliament.uk
• [3] Explanatory notes to the Armed Forces Bill as introduced in the House of Commons on 12 May 2021 , Parliament.uk
• [4] Amendment sheet for consideration of the Armed Forces Bill in the House of Commons on 23 June 2021, Parliament.uk
• [5] The Armed Forces Covenant, Gov.uk

Debate in Parliament |