Contributions
909 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDTopical QuestionsI am delighted to confirm that we have enough people. They are highly motivated and well-trained, and when meeting new draft recruits to the senior service, as I did in HMS…05 Jul 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsI absolutely give those thanks, and I commend the hon. Lady’s work in support of that group. If she would like to send me details of that individual case, I will consider it.05 Jul 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsNo, I do not agree. The Armed Forces Bill and the statutory guidance focus on the critical areas of housing, healthcare and education. If we need to broaden that statutory…05 Jul 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsLet me put on record my thanks for the magnificent work done by my right hon. Friend and the Royal British Legion in Harlow. We are putting millions into that sector every year,…05 Jul 2021HANSARDFinancial Literacy SkillsMy thoughts are with the family of Danny Butcher. Every veteran suicide is an absolute tragedy and we must seek to learn lessons from this. We are working to ensure that all…05 Jul 2021HANSARDArmed Forces CovenantHistoric medallic recognition cases are a matter for the independent Advisory Military Sub-Committee. Last year, it considered the case of nuclear test programme veterans and…05 Jul 2021HANSARDArmed Forces CovenantThat is the whole point of the statutory guidance: to ensure that there is a best practice template that every local authority can follow to ensure that veterans and service…05 Jul 2021HANSARDArmed Forces CovenantI am proud that we are strengthening the armed forces covenant by enshrining it in law through the Armed Forces Bill and issuing statutory guidance for local authorities in the…05 Jul 2021HANSARDHomosexuality Ban: ReparationsAddressing this injustice will be at the heart of the veterans strategy action update plan, which I will announce in the winter. I thank the hon. Member for his sustained interest…05 Jul 2021HANSARDHomosexuality Ban: ReparationsThe Government accept that the historic policy of prohibiting members of the LGBT community from serving in the armed forces was absolutely wrong. Work is under way to understand…05 Jul 2021HANSARDMental Health ServicesI welcome that question because, as I mentioned, apart from the physical provision, we are seeking a cultural change and an institutional shift across all our armed forces, led by…05 Jul 2021HANSARDMental Health ServicesWe will always go after any gaps in provision, but I am confident that progress is being made. When it comes to delivering on our obligations on the covenant, which is to ensure…05 Jul 2021HANSARDMental Health ServicesWe are committed to ensuring that veterans and service personnel receive a gold standard of care. I was with Op Courage clinicians last week and I was pleased to learn that wait…05 Jul 2021HANSARD Armed Forces BillI am delighted to give way.23 Jun 2021HANSARD Armed Forces BillIt is a privilege to speak to the Armed Forces Bill before a Committee of the whole House. Indeed, it is fitting that the Bill should come before the Committee during Armed Forces…23 Jun 2021HANSARD Armed Forces BillWe have to do it the right way round. We totally acknowledge the central importance of getting investigations right in terms of delivering for our people. We will not seek to…23 Jun 2021HANSARD Armed Forces BillI thank all Members who have spoken today for their thoughtful and sincere contributions, and I wish to put on record again my gratitude for the effective chairmanship of the…23 Jun 2021HANSARD Armed Forces BillI am pleased to confirm that that means summer this year, not summer next year. I was pleased to hear from a trio of Welsh MPs: my hon. Friend the Member for Brecon and…23 Jun 2021HANSARD Armed Forces BillI am delighted to give way to my right hon. Friend.23 Jun 2021HANSARD Armed Forces BillI cannot get into the timing, and it would not be useful for me to do that at this time. I know that work is continuing apace and that it is a top priority for both the Prime…23 Jun 2021