Victory over Japan: 80th Anniversary

Cat Smith Excerpts

Monday 21st July 2025 Commons Chamber

[Lorraine Beavers (Blackpool North and Fleetwood) (Lab)]

It is an honour to speak today as we approach this incredibly important anniversary. Today is the day to celebrate the victory of democracy and freedom over fascism, as well as to remember all those who lost their lives, were taken prisoner or suffered during that fight. I believe that the most important thing we can do to honour their memory is to ensure that we never again return to the politics of fascism. Although VJ Day marks the end of the war, fascist politics are on the rise all over the world. We must never allow ourselves to be complacent or to think that our modern world is immune.

My community has its own story to tell about VJ Day. Names are remembered and listed on the roll of honour at St John’s church in Blackpool. One of my constituents wrote to me about the story of her grandad, Harold Rhodes, who was captured on 15 February 1942, alongside many other men, and taken to the notorious Changi prison camp. Harold was made to walk from Singapore to Burma via Thailand to work for the Japanese on the notorious death railway. He walked the last 100 miles of that 400-mile forced march on bare feet. It is said that one man died for every sleeper laid. Harold was released from Changi prison on 2 September 1945 and put on a ship for Rangoon, Burma. The purpose of the trip was rehabilitation for Harold and many other ex-prisoners, who were all extremely thin and needed to gain weight urgently. On arriving home after a three-month journey, he weighed 6 stone 5 lbs—heaven only knows what he weighed when he was released from Changi. Harold’s granddaughter—my constituent—says that he was the gentlest of men.

Harold’s story is that of so many men across the country. While Harold survived, many more died. Many starved to death and many died from cholera, malaria or dysentery. They are the men whose suffering we must remember. Their brutal treatment at the hands of the imperial Japanese army must serve as a reminder to us all of the horrors of war and strengthen our resolve to build a peaceful world. Their suffering did not end when the war ended. They spent their lives suffering from PTSD, limbs lost and long-term complications.

[Cat Smith (Lancaster and Wyre) (Lab)]

I feel very moved to intervene on my hon. Friend because she is making such a powerful speech. As someone who previously represented part of her constituency, I know how much this will mean to her constituents. My grandfather had a Burma Star and he had scars all over his body. He never spoke of it but the long-lasting trauma these veterans faced lived with them throughout their lives and we do not recognise that enough. I would like to put that on the record.

[Lorraine Beavers]

I thank my hon. Friend very much for her intervention and totally agree with her analysis.

My school friend’s dad, George Brooks, suffered for the rest of his life from the ordeals he endured in the camps. As we approach the 80th anniversary of VJ Day and the celebrations that will come with it, these stories must be constantly told. We remember the Blackpool Regiment, and everyone who has sacrificed their lives for our country since.

Loss of Secret Documents

Cat Smith Excerpts

Monday 28th June 2021 Commons Chamber

[Jeremy Quin]

I thank my hon. Friend for his question. I can reassure him that we always emphasise the need for safety and security on Defender and other ships in the Royal Navy. As the right hon. Member for Wentworth and Dearne (John Healey) said at the outset, they behaved in the most professional and exemplary fashion in conducting their innocent passage in the Black sea. I totally endorse what he says regarding the seriousness of this issue, but he will of course appreciate that the investigation must come first. We need to see the outcome of that investigation before any further consideration as to action should be taken.

[Cat Smith (Lancaster and Fleetwood) (Lab)]

This is not the first time there has been a security breach at the Ministry of Defence; in fact, it is the third time in six months. The Minister said that there are policies and procedures in place for secure documents leaving secure settings, but clearly those policies and procedures are inadequate or not working. Can he reassure the House that those policies and procedures will change as a result of this investigation?

[Jeremy Quin]

It appears to be a loss of documents rather than a deliberate act, although, as I say, I should not prejudge the investigation. That needs to be determined finally, but the loss of documents was reported by the individual concerned. Above official sensitive level, that is an extremely rare occurrence; no incidents have happened in the last 18 months. I checked over the last 18 months for the loss of documents above that level.

However, the hon. Lady is right that no one should take with equanimity information leaving the MOD in circumstances where it should not leave. The investigation is ongoing. I hope that it will report shortly. We will see whether it has recommendations as to how we can further tighten our procedures or whether this was a case of those procedures not being followed. If there are recommendations, we will take that very seriously and we will certainly share with the House.

Oral Answers to Questions

Cat Smith Excerpts

Monday 15th March 2021 Commons Chamber

[James Heappey]

My hon. Friend is right to ask about the actions of the ICC. We of course respect the independence of the ICC, but we expect it to exercise due prosecutorial and judicial discipline. We continue to engage with the ICC and international partners to make those points.

[Cat Smith (Lancaster and Fleetwood) (Lab)]

The Veterans Minister will recall that in defence questions in November, I raised the concerns that I have about veterans’ mental health. Since then, I have been made aware that demand for services has increased 74% during lockdown. Does he think that the funding that goes into veterans’ mental health is enough, and because waiting times have continued to be longer for veterans, what more can we do to support veterans with mental health difficulties?

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

Under Op Courage, the new NHS pathway for all veterans’ mental health, there is an ability to monitor waiting times in almost real-time data, and I am absolutely committed to meeting those targets. There is significant investment going into it. I will always argue for more investment in something that has historically been underinvested in for so long. But I am confident that, as we stand here today, we have a world-class offering of mental health provision for our veterans, and it is incumbent on all of us to get that cohort to understand where that help is, to understand what the care pathways are and to have hope, because they can get better and they will be looked after.

Oral Answers to Questions

Cat Smith Excerpts

Monday 2nd November 2020 Commons Chamber

[Mr Wallace]

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman, because I agree with everything he said; that is what we have been doing. We will invest, where we can, in UK equipment. We also sometimes have to balance the urgent operational need of our service personnel: if there is something they need now or in the very short term and we simply do not have the capability to deliver it, we will sometimes have to look where we can to get them the best equipment. There is always a fine balance between making sure our forces have the very best at the very moment and long-term investment. I am determined that we invest both in the people who use our equipment in the MOD and in our industry as far as possible across the board.

[Cat Smith (Lancaster and Fleetwood) (Lab)]

What support his Department is providing to veterans’ charities during the covid-19 outbreak.

[Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central) (Lab)]

What support his Department is providing to veterans’ charities during the covid-19 outbreak.

--- Later in debate ---

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

The Government have been proactive in providing support to the charity sector in response to the covid-19 pandemic. The MOD and the Office for Veterans’ Affairs have played a leading role in this effort by providing £6 million in funding for the armed forces community through the covid impact fund.

[Cat Smith]

In June, the Office for National Statistics reported that almost one in five adults were likely to experience some form of depression during the covid-19 pandemic. Given that service and veterans’ charities have seen a spike in demand for their services, can I ask what steps the Department is taking to support veterans, serving personnel and service family members during this very difficult time?

[Johnny Mercer]

It is completely accepted that this period of lockdown and the lockdown that is coming present particular challenges for a veterans community that, in some small parts, may be struggling with the situation. We have worked hard to go down the pathway of blending the statutory and state provision, working with our third sector to make sure that people are being looked after, on time, in suitable care pathways. We have more to do, but we are a lot better than we used to be and I am confident that we will be the best country in the world in which to be an armed forces veteran in due course.

Oral Answers to Questions

Cat Smith Excerpts

Monday 3rd February 2020 Commons Chamber

[Mr Wallace]

My hon. Friend raises an important point. These aircraft carriers are bought and paid for: they have been committed to. One is only on sea trials, and I would urge him to give it a chance—we will finish the sea trials. The aircraft carriers are really important to our strategic reach. We will design them so that we always have one available in a carrier strike group around the world, to be delivered should we need to do so. There are absolutely no plans whatsoever to get rid of them.

[Cat Smith (Lancaster and Fleetwood) (Lab)]

T4. When a service child moves to a new school, it is up to the old school to flag this on the student’s file, otherwise there could be a delay in receiving the service pupil premium. What discussions has the Minister had with the Education Secretary about the guidance provided to schools to ensure that every service child gets the education they deserve?

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

I have had meetings with the Minister for School Standards to make sure that the process is a lot smoother and that people who can access the service pupil premium can do so further in advance of their posting. Again, this issue comes under the armed forces covenant. I am confident that, when this Government do legislate to make sure that no individual is disadvantaged because of their service, such incidents will be no more.

Modernising Defence Programme

Cat Smith Excerpts

Thursday 25th January 2018 Commons Chamber

[Gavin Williamson]

Absolutely. This is where we have the opportunity to embrace new technology to make our armed forces more effective in what they do. If we stand still, our enemies will overtake us. In this country, we have some of the most innovative companies, some of which have never before sold to defence, and we have to make use of that innovation.

[Cat Smith (Lancaster and Fleetwood) (Lab)]

I had hoped to ask the Secretary of State for reassurance for the service personnel and the many thousands of people across Lancashire who work in the defence industry, but I am aware that many colleagues were expecting this statement to be made on Monday and they are not in the Chamber today. Will the Secretary of State’s door be open to colleagues who are not here today because of the hokey-cokey nature of this statement, and will he meet them?

[Gavin Williamson]

I will always meet them. Jobs in Lancashire are close to my heart, and I was very proud to sign a deal with the Qataris for the largest Typhoon order in more than a decade. We need to be doing more of that. How can we sell more Typhoons, more Hawks and more equipment around the globe? I look forward to working with Members on both sides of the House to make sure that the British defence industry continues to thrive and prosper.