Armed Forces Act 2006

[F1 343B Interpretation of Part U.K.

(1) In [F2 section 343A] [F2 this Part] “service people” means—

(a) members of the regular forces and the reserve forces;

(b) members of British overseas territory forces who are subject to service law;

(c) former members of any of Her Majesty's forces who are ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom; and

(d) relevant family members.

(2) In section 343A “relevant government department”, in relation to an effect to be covered by an armed forces covenant report, means a department of the Government of the United Kingdom (apart from the Ministry of Defence) which the Secretary of State considers has functions relevant to that effect.

(3) In section 343A “relevant devolved administration”, in relation to an effect to be covered by an armed forces covenant report, means whichever of the following the Secretary of State considers to have functions relevant to that effect—

(a) the Scottish Executive;

(b) the Northern Ireland departments;

(c) the Welsh Assembly Government.

(4) In this Part—

• “British overseas territory force” means any of Her Majesty's forces that is raised under the law of a British overseas territory;

• “membership or former membership” of a force, in relation to a person, includes any service in that force that that person is undertaking, undertook or may be expected to be called on to undertake;

• “relevant family members” means [F3 such persons as may be prescribed, and for the purposes of section 343A also includes] such descriptions of persons connected with service members, or with persons who were service members, as the Secretary of State considers should be covered by a report or part of a report;

• [F4 “relevant function”, in relation to a person or body specified in subsection (3) of section 343AA, 343AB, 343AC or 343AD, has the meaning given by subsection (2) of the same section;]

• [F4 “relevant Northern Ireland department” means any Northern Ireland department the Secretary of State thinks appropriate;]

• “service member” means a person who falls within any of paragraphs (a) to (c) of subsection (1).

[F5 (4A) In subsection (4) “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State under this subsection.

(4B) Before making regulations under subsection (4A) the Secretary of State must consult—

(a) the Welsh Ministers so far as the regulations contain provision that is within Welsh devolved competence,

(b) the Scottish Ministers so far as the regulations contain provision that is within Scottish devolved competence,

(c) the relevant Northern Ireland department so far as the regulations contain provision that is within Northern Ireland devolved competence, and

(d) any other persons the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

(4C) Subsections (8) to (10) of section 343AF apply for the purposes of subsection (4B) as they apply for the purposes of that section.]

(5) Any reference in this Part to membership or former membership of the armed forces is to be read, in relation to a person who is—

(a) a service member, or

(b) a relevant family member by reason of connection with a person who is or was a service member,

as a reference to the service member's membership or former membership of a force mentioned in subsection (1).]

Textual Amendments

F1 Pt. 16A inserted (2.4.2012) by Armed Forces Act 2011 (c. 18), ss. 2, 32(3); S.I. 2012/669, art. 4(a)

F2 Words in s. 343B(1) substituted (1.5.2022 for specified purposes, 22.11.2022 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2021 (c. 35), ss. 8(4)(a), 24(1); S.I. 2022/471, reg. 3; S.I. 2022/1161, reg. 3

F3 Words in s. 343B(4) inserted (1.5.2022 for specified purposes, 22.11.2022 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2021 (c. 35), ss. 8(4)(b)(i), 24(1); S.I. 2022/471, reg. 3; S.I. 2022/1161, reg. 3

F4 Words in s. 343B(4) inserted (1.5.2022 for specified purposes, 22.11.2022 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2021 (c. 35), ss. 8(4)(b)(ii), 24(1); S.I. 2022/471, reg. 3; S.I. 2022/1161, reg. 3

F5 S. 343B(4A)-(4C) inserted (1.5.2022 for specified purposes, 22.11.2022 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2021 (c. 35), ss. 8(4)(c), 24(1); S.I. 2022/471, reg. 3; S.I. 2022/1161, reg. 3