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Lords hear from former Chiefs of the Defence Staff

5 June 2013

The House of Lords Constitution Committee will continue its inquiry into the constitutional arrangements for the use of armed force by hearing evidence from two former Chiefs of the Defence Staff and a former Chief of the General Staff.

Witnesses

At 10.30am, Wednesday 5 June, Committee Room 1, Palace of Westminster:

  • Field Marshal the Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank, Chief of the Defence Staff 1997-2001
  • Air Chief Marshal the Lord Stirrup, Chief of the Defence Staff 2006-10
  • General Sir Mike Jackson, Chief of the General Staff 2003-06

Session

The officers held senior positions in the armed forces during the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. The committee will ask what the most appropriate constitutional process is for authorising the deployment of UK forces. In particular, it will examine whether Parliament’s role in approving the use of troops should be formalised, and whether recent changes to the type of conflict UK forces are involved in, and the means of warfare, have changed the constitutional position.

Further information