Contributions
1,406 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDTopical QuestionsSome 97% of Ministry of Defence service family accommodation meets or exceeds the Government housing standard. That is better than most local authorities and better than most…30 Jan 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsAs it happens, last Monday I visited the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre. I also heard about the NHS-led National Rehabilitation Centre, which will hopefully be stood up by…30 Jan 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsI am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for raising the matter. There is no question but that between 1967 and 2000, people in the LGBT community were badly dealt with by Defence.…30 Jan 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsObviously I cannot comment on a specific case when I do not have the details, but if the hon. Lady will send them to me, I will certainly look into them. Every local authority…30 Jan 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsI am grateful to my hon. Friend and predecessor. I see no evidence that people are being misdiagnosed or mismanaged. This is, of course, a matter for healthcare professionals and…30 Jan 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsMy hon. Friend may be referring to the career transition partnership, which is normally used for people making the transition to civilian life. The defence transition service is…30 Jan 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsAbsolutely. It is the top priority for me, the Secretary of State and Minister for Defence Procurement. We must bear in mind that 97% of those houses are above the Government…30 Jan 2023HANSARD Draft Pensions Appeal Tribunals (Late Appeal) (Amendment) Regulations 2022The Secretary of State could object, but he would have to state his grounds for objection. The reality is that he has not objected so far as we can determine and, in any event,…09 Jan 2023HANSARD Draft Pensions Appeal Tribunals (Late Appeal) (Amendment) Regulations 2022It is worth pointing out that 24% of decisions made on the armed forces compensation scheme are in fact appealed—a significant number. Most of those come within the 12 months, so…09 Jan 2023HANSARD Draft Pensions Appeal Tribunals (Late Appeal) (Amendment) Regulations 2022I beg to move, That the Committee has considered the draft Pensions Appeal Tribunals (Late Appeal) (Amendment) Regulations 2022. May I say what a pleasure it is to serve under…09 Jan 2023HANSARD Afghanistan: Independent InquiryThe hon. Gentleman has hit the nail on the head. There is that commitment right at the very top of our armed forces that we should get this right and that we should learn any…15 Dec 2022HANSARD Afghanistan: Independent InquiryI will not get into that. Lord Justice Haddon-Cave will investigate the matter fully and report in due course.15 Dec 2022HANSARD Afghanistan: Independent InquiryI think I can. As I speak, we are contacting those who may be affected by today’s statement to give them details of the support that is available to them. Anybody who is asked to…15 Dec 2022HANSARD Afghanistan: Independent InquiryI very much appreciate my right hon. Friend’s point. We have focused on individuals in the questioning so far, and I would like to point out that our principal concern is…15 Dec 2022HANSARD Afghanistan: Independent InquiryI am grateful to the hon. Gentleman, and I pay tribute to his brother for his service. Justice Haddon-Cave is no ordinary judge; he is one of the most senior members of our…15 Dec 2022HANSARD Afghanistan: Independent InquiryI am extremely grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for his comments. It is important to say that the inquiry is set up under the Inquiries Act 2005, which means that it will be a…15 Dec 2022HANSARD Afghanistan: Independent InquiryI will make a statement on an independent inquiry related to Afghanistan. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has commissioned an independent statutory inquiry…15 Dec 2022HANSARD Afghanistan: Independent InquiryI am grateful to my hon. Friend for that question. He will be aware that the overseas operations Act was designed to raise the hurdle, in the sense that it was a commitment that…15 Dec 2022HANSARD Afghanistan: Independent InquiryI rise again with a sense of trepidation, Madam Deputy Speaker, acknowledging the hon. Gentleman’s service in Afghanistan. The point that he has made has been made before. I think…15 Dec 2022HANSARD Afghanistan: Independent InquiryThere are structures within the Army in particular to deal with the pastoral care of individuals who may be facing allegations. The Army operational legacy branch, for example,…15 Dec 2022