Oral Answers to Questions

Fabian Hamilton Excerpts

Monday 18th February 2019 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Well, the right hon. Gentleman can make his own assessment.

[Fabian Hamilton (Leeds North East) (Lab)]

A recent investigation has revealed that black African soldiers in the East Africa Force, formed in 1940, which encompassed thousands of troops drawn from the British colonies and current Commonwealth countries, were paid only a third of the wage received by their white counterparts. Will the Minister tell the House whether there will now be a full and comprehensive Ministry of Defence investigation of this issue, and whether such an investigation would consider granting appropriate compensation to all surviving veterans?

[Mr Ellwood]

The hon. Gentleman raises an important point, of which the Secretary of State is aware. It is a Foreign Office lead, and I hope that the FCO will be able to provide more detail on how to move forward given the information presented.