The Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme(AFPS) offers Members of Parliament and Peers experience of the United Kingdom's armed forces.[1] The Scheme runs annually and gives an insight into military life for all three Armed Services, Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force.[2] The minimum commitment is 15 days over a 12-month course.[3] Its aim is to improve the quality of debate on military issues by exposing its members to first-hand experience of the service.[1]
The AFPS is administered from within Parliament under the chairmanship of James Gray and one full-time employee.[3] The Scheme is endorsed by the Ministry of Defence with a staff officer from each of the three single Services.[1]
Since 2013,[5] the Armed Forces Parliamentary Trust is the overarching body that provides governance in the form of a board of trustees and financial support is provided from industry.[3] The trust is registered with The Charities Commission.[2] It is chaired by James Gray MP[3] and trustees include John Gardner, Baroness Hodgson of Abinger CBE, Sir Bill Jeffrey KCB, Air Vice-Marshal Honourable David Murray CVO OBE, The Lord Rogan, The Right Honourable Colonel Robert Stewart DSO MP, William Thomas Tew and Sir Neil Thorne OBE TD DL.[6]
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