Government should honour our Armed Forces by putting Military Covenant into Law
06 May 2011
The Royal British Legion is urging the Prime Minister to honour the promise he made last year and enshrine the Military Covenant in law.
"We cannot understand why
the Government is reluctant to put the principle of fair treatment
for our brave Armed Forces, and their families, into law," said
Chris Simpkins, the Legion's Director General, today.
"We are calling for a short definition of the Covenant and its core principles to be put into the Armed Forces Bill, which would honour the Prime Minister's promise. This is vital and right in order to recognise the nation's special relationship with those who risk their lives for us.
"We have always made clear that detailed guidance on how the Covenant is applied should not be included in the Bill itself, so that it can remain flexible and evolve.
"The Legion hopes the postponement of the Bill's debate at this stage signals a rethink by the Government. But it is time for Parliament to have its say."
