Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Henry Smith and Johnny Mercer

Monday 21st September 2020 Commons Chamber

[Johnny Mercer]

We have seen members of the armed forces working alongside our infrastructure across the United Kingdom, whether they have been inserted in local resilience forums or, indeed, the planners we stood up here in London. UK defence has made a significant contribution to the national effort to defeat this virus, and that will continue in the months ahead.

[Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con)]

What steps his Department is taking to provide an effective welfare service for veterans.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Minister for Defence People and Veterans (Johnny Mercer)]

The Veterans Welfare Service continues to provide the full range of support services to veterans during the covid-19 pandemic.

[Henry Smith [V]]

Last year, the Crawley armed forces and veterans breakfast club was established, and I have enjoyed meeting it several times since then, most recently on the VJ75 anniversary. What specific support can be provided to such grassroots groups that support our armed forces and veterans personnel?

[Johnny Mercer]

When LIBOR funding came to an end two years ago, it was replaced by something called the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust. It is administered in a professional way, and all charities and such grassroots organisations can now bid into it for grants. I am happy to write to my hon. Friend with details of how we can pass that on to support the great work that those in Crawley do at their breakfast clubs.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Henry Smith and Johnny Mercer

Monday 16th March 2020 Commons Chamber

[Johnny Mercer]

I am very clear on two points. One is that we will stop at nothing to understand what is the best mental healthcare treatment that we can provide to our veterans in this country; the other is that obviously the classification of substances remains with the Home Office, and there are no plans to change that at the moment.

[Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con)]

T5. I very much welcome the Ministry of Defence submarine sonar contract being awarded to Crawley-based Thales. Can my hon. Friend say a little more about the employment possibilities that the contract brings?