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Armed Forces Bill

Moved by

Baroness Brinton

53: After Clause 42, insert the following new Clause—

“Visiting forces agreements

(1) The Secretary of State must publish in unredacted form any part of a treaty, memorandum of understanding or agreement between the United Kingdom and any sending country relating to visiting forces containing a decision about a jurisdictional question, including in relation to the Visiting Forces Act 1952.

(2) Alongside the material published under subsection (1), the Secretary of State must publish a document setting out the reasons behind any decision about a jurisdictional question contained in the relevant treaty, memorandum of understanding or agreement.”

Member’s explanatory statement

This amendment probes the nature of any agreements reached between the UK and a sending country in relation to jurisdiction over visiting forces, and requires the Secretary of State to set out the reasons behind such a decision.