Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

Oral Answers to Questions

Carol Monaghan Excerpts
Monday 20th September 2021

(2 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Leo Docherty Portrait Leo Docherty
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I actually commend the long and noble tradition that we have of armed forces charities assisting the Government in their response to supporting veterans, and I am pleased that our support to them this year will top out at more than £20 million.

Carol Monaghan Portrait Carol Monaghan (Glasgow North West) (SNP)
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The Ministerial Covenant and Veterans Board is supposed to drive forward and co-ordinate better Government support for members of the armed forces, their families and veterans. The Scottish Government have asked repeatedly for that group to be reconvened. When can we expect its next meeting to take place?

Leo Docherty Portrait Leo Docherty
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I am happy to confirm that that meeting will take place within the next couple of weeks.

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Ben Wallace Portrait Mr Wallace
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That is an incredibly important way to inspire young people about the careers that are ahead. When politics do not get in the way of that recruitment, it is much better. I remember being banned from a school in Dundee when I was doing military recruiting—[Interruption]; not me personally—because ideologically it did not fit with some narrative.

Carol Monaghan Portrait Carol Monaghan (Glasgow North West) (SNP)
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Following on from the question from the right hon. Member for New Forest East (Dr Lewis) about those individuals who are working with British military forces in Afghanistan, what is going to happen to those who find that they have been refused under the ARAP scheme? Will they then be referred to the Home Office or to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, or are they being left in limbo just now?