Oral Answers to Questions

Elliot Colburn Excerpts

Monday 15th November 2021 Commons Chamber

[Craig Tracey (North Warwickshire) (Con)]

2. What steps his Department is taking to (a) support and (b) promote the poppy appeal.

[Elliot Colburn (Carshalton and Wallington) (Con)]

6. What steps his Department is taking to (a) support and (b) promote the poppy appeal.

[Robbie Moore (Keighley) (Con)]

11. What steps his Department is taking to (a) support and (b) promote the poppy appeal.

--- Later in debate ---

[Leo Docherty]

My hon. Friend is right to refer to the central role of the Royal British Legion volunteers. They are a magnificent bunch of people, and I particularly commend Ken Whitehead and all the Bedworth Armistice Day team. I also want to record my thanks for all my hon. Friend’s work to support our veterans and forces people in his constituency.

[Elliot Colburn]

I thank the many Carshalton and Wallington residents who volunteered to raise money for the poppy appeal this year. The appeal helps to fund the Royal British Legion’s work in raising funds for the armed forces covenant, providing support for thousands of service people and their families. What consideration has the Minister given to the Legion’s recent report on the impact of the covenant over the last 10 years?

[Leo Docherty]

I have given deep consideration to that excellent report, which I think is a hugely important piece of work. We have come a very long way in the last 10 years, but there is still more to do, and that is why we are putting the covenant into law in the Armed Forces Bill.