MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
News Release (PN052/2009) issued by COI News Distribution Service. 4
March 2009
The MoD today
welcomed the first annual report examining the fairness,
effectiveness and efficiency of the Service Complaints System.
The independent report by Service Complaints Commissioner, Dr
Susan Atkins, commends the three Services for their commitment to
tackling all forms of unacceptable behaviour and ensuring that
Service men and women are treated well. It also includes a range
of recommendations.
The Report comes at the end of the Service Complaints
Commissioner's first year in office. The role was established
on 1 December 2007 and provides independent reassurance to Service
personnel, their families, the public, Ministers and Parliament.
Armed Forces Minister Bob Ainsworth said:
"The MOD and the Services are 100 per cent committed to the
welfare of our personnel and to dealing quickly, fairly and
transparently with any type of complaint. I thank Dr Atkins and
her staff for the excellent work they have done over the past year
to ensure that the Service Complaints System continues to improve
and operates in the most effective way possible."
Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, said:
"The effectiveness of the Armed Services depends upon mutual
trust and respect amongst our people, so it is important that they
have confidence in our system for investigating complaints. The
process must deal with issues promptly and fairly, while
underpinning the command structure that is fundamental to military
operations. The Service Complaints Commissioner's independent
oversight of the system is a key element in delivering the
necessary confidence and I welcome her first annual report. We
will consider it in detail and work with the Commissioner on
addressing the recommendations."
A formal, detailed response to the Service Complaints
Commissioner's report will be issued once the recommendations
have been considered fully by the MOD and the Services.
Notes to Editors
1. Media enquiries for the MoD should be directed to Major Lucy
Bowen in the Ministry of Defence Press Office, telephone 0207 218 9900.
2. Media enquiries for the Service Complaints Commissioner's
Office should be directed to James Simpson in the SCC Press
Office, telephone 0207 612 8819.