A
bill
to
Make provision in connection with the deployment of UK armed forces outside the United Kingdom, overseas territories and Crown dependencies; to make provision for the approval by Parliament of a declaration of war by Her Majesty’s Government; and for connected purposes.
B e it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
The Secretary of State or a Minister of the Crown may issue a declaration
that a state of
war exists between the United Kingdom and another state,
country or territory if the
conditions in
subsection (2)
have been
fulfilled.
The conditions are—
that a resolution that a state of war should be declared between the
United Kingdom and
another state, country or territory, as specified
in the resolution, has been approved by
the House of Commons; and
that a debate has taken place in the House of Lords to take note of
the Government’s
intention to declare that a state of war exists between
the United Kingdom and another
state, country or territory, as
specified.
It is lawful for Her Majesty’s Government to authorise the deployment of
armed forces on
behalf of the Crown in armed conflict outside the U K,
Overseas Territories and Crown
Dependencies if any of the conditions in
subsection (2)
is
met and if the further conditions in
subsections (3)
are met.
The conditions are—
that the deployment is necessary for the defence of the United
Kingdom;
that the deployment is necessary and proportionate in order to protect
United Kingdom
citizens and interests overseas;
that the deployment is in pursuance of the United Kingdom’s Treaty
obligations;
that the deployment is in order to meet needs arising from
humanitarian need, crisis or
emergency in any part of the world; or
that the deployment is in pursuance of a Security Council Resolution
of the United
Nations.
The further conditions are—
that a statement has been made by the Secretary of State or a Minister
of the Crown to
both Houses of Parliament to describe the purpose
and extent of the deployment within 60
days of its commencement;
and
that, if the deployment is to extend beyond 60 days and is in order
to protect UK citizens
and interests overseas, the deployment is
approved by a resolution of the House of Commons
consisting of the
words “that this House approves the deployment of armed forces of
the
Crown as proposed by Her Majesty’s Government” (and of no
other words), on a motion tabled
by a Minister of the Crown.
This Act comes into force at the end of the period of three months beginning
with the day
on which it is passed.
This Act extends to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
This Act may be cited as the War Powers Act 2022.
A
bill
to
Make provision in connection with the deployment of UK armed forces outside the United Kingdom, overseas territories and Crown dependencies; to make provision for the approval by Parliament of a declaration of war by Her Majesty’s Government; and for connected purposes.
Ordered to be Printed, .
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