Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Gavin Williamson and David Amess

Monday 26th November 2018 Commons Chamber

[Sir David Amess (Southend West) (Con)]

1. What assessment he has made of the importance of the contribution of the Commonwealth to UK national security.

[The Secretary of State for Defence (Gavin Williamson)]

The national security capabilities review emphasised the importance of our bilateral and regional relationships, and our influence in international institutions. The Commonwealth is an integral element of our global approach.

[Sir David Amess]

Does my right hon. Friend agree that Commonwealth troops made a vital contribution to our successes in the first and second world wars? Accordingly, what measures is his Department taking to encourage more Commonwealth citizens to join the British armed forces?

[Gavin Williamson]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. More than 3 million Commonwealth and empire soldiers took part in the great war, serving alongside British servicemen, and 200,000 lost their lives. We are looking at increasing the number of Commonwealth nationals who can join our armed forces, as we recognise the important contribution they made to our international armed forces.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Gavin Williamson and David Amess

Monday 15th January 2018 Commons Chamber

[Sir David Amess (Southend West) (Con)]

5. What progress he has made on establishing an armed forces covenant and veterans board.

[The Secretary of State for Defence (Gavin Williamson)]

The Ministry of Defence published the armed forces covenant annual report in December 2017, which outlined the progress made to strengthen the covenant. Notable achievements include the establishment of a new ministerial covenant and veterans board, which had its first meeting in October 2017. The next ministerial covenant and veterans board meeting is due in the spring.

[Gavin Williamson]

I thank the hon. Lady for highlighting that, and I assure her that, yes, we will do so.

[Sir David Amess]

Will my right hon. Friend tell the House what his Department is doing to support wonderful local charities, such as the Leigh-on-Sea branch of the Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes, in helping veterans to tackle isolation and loneliness?

[Gavin Williamson]

The point my hon. Friend raises is very valuable. We have to be reaching out to so many veterans, who have given so much to our country over so many years, and the work of Help for Heroes and the Leigh-on-Sea branch of the Royal British Legion is absolutely pivotal to that. We have recently seen investment of £2 million to create the veterans’ gateway, which is there to make sure that veterans are signposted to the charities, support organisations and of course Government organisations that can best support them if they are suffering from loneliness or need other additional help. May I take this opportunity to thank the Royal British Legion—at Leigh-on-Sea and at so many other branches across the country—which continues to do so much for our veterans, day in and day out?