Oral Answers to Questions

Dan Jarvis Excerpts

Monday 13th June 2022 Commons Chamber

[Leo Docherty]

We are acting, and I am pleased to confirm that we are investing £40 million in a radical digitalisation programme, which I saw with my own eyes a few weeks ago when I was in Norcross, where the paper records are held. There are frustrations, but work is continuing apace.

[Dan Jarvis (Barnsley Central) (Lab)]

8. What recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Afghan relocations and assistance policy.

[Jessica Morden (Newport East) (Lab)]

18. What recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Afghan relocations and assistance policy.

[Dan Jarvis]

With your forbearance, Mr Speaker, I pay tribute to all those who served in the Falkland Islands 40 years ago.

I turn to the Minister’s response. A former member of the unit I helped to establish has now been waiting nine months for his ARAP application to be processed. He is in hiding, terrified that he is going to be kidnapped and murdered by the Taliban—all because he stepped forward to serve when we asked him to. Will the Minister give an undertaking to look at the detail of this particular individual’s case? Can he say what more is being done to clear the backlog of applications?

[James Heappey]

The hon. Gentleman is a phenomenal campaigner for those who served alongside the UK armed forces; in fact, I think I probably sign dozens of letters a week responding to his various inquiries. I am surprised that I have not already corresponded with him on this particular case if he has raised it with me, but perhaps we can talk afterwards to ensure nothing has fallen through the cracks.