Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Johnny Mercer and Ben Spencer

Monday 3rd February 2020 Commons Chamber

[Dr Ben Spencer (Runnymede and Weybridge) (Con)]

12. What steps his Department is taking to maintain the security of UK armed forces personnel overseas.

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

The Ministry of Defence constantly reviews the security of its personnel, sites and capabilities to ensure that they remain safe and secure, and that the measures in place remain proportionate, including in response to any changes in threat or risk.

[Dr Spencer]

I think we would all agree on the importance of protecting our servicemen and women from threats abroad. However, harmful drinking is more common than post-traumatic stress disorder in the armed forces, and double that of the general population. What is the Minister doing to support the health and wellbeing of our armed forces, to whom we all owe so much?

[Johnny Mercer]

My hon. Friend will know that there are specific areas where the armed forces have challenges when it comes to drinking, including alcohol abuse and so on. There are a number of programmes running throughout the military. We have a good record on this matter, but there is more to do. I am aware that this issue is baked into some of the culture of previous years. We are doing much better now, but there is work to do on that front.