Oral Answers to Questions

Mark Jenkinson Excerpts

Monday 2nd November 2020 Commons Chamber

[Johnny Mercer]

Yes. The majority of personal injury and clinical negligence claims by service personnel and veterans against the MOD do not relate directly to overseas operations so will be unaffected by the Bill. Veterans will still be able to bring claims relating to overseas operations against the MOD within a reasonable timeframe. For example, in the event of a late diagnosis, service personnel and veterans will be able to bring personal injury claims against the MOD for up to six years from their date of knowledge.

[Mark Jenkinson (Workington) (Con)]

What assessment he has made of the potential effect of the overseas operations Bill on the ability of service personnel to make civil claims against his Department.

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

The Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill will not prevent service personnel and veterans from bringing personal injury claims against the Ministry of Defence in relation to overseas operations within six years. Historically, we assess that the vast majority—around 94%—have done so already for claims relating to overseas operations. We will, of course, aim to ensure that everybody in the armed forces community is made aware of their right to bring claims and of changes to the relevant time limits for doing so in relation to overseas operations.

[Mark Jenkinson]

I thank the Minister for his answer. Does he agree that the rhetoric around exemptions from torture mislead colleagues and the public and only serve to misrepresent the purposes of this long overdue Bill?

[Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck (South Shields) (Lab)]

Did you write that for him?

Oral Answers to Questions

Mark Jenkinson Excerpts

Monday 6th July 2020 Commons Chamber

[Johnny Mercer]

I thank the hon. Member for her kind comments about my daughter. She is right—the telephone service was briefly suspended while Veterans UK, like every other organisation in the country, tried to reconfigure its services, to ensure that we met the demand out there. We have helped over 13,000 veterans since 23 March. Per month, we make 470,000 pension and compensation scheme payments. I am still unaware—as I was six weeks ago, when I spoke from the Dispatch Box—of a single veteran whose urgent need has not been responded to, but if she is aware of any, I would be more than happy to meet her and find out what we can do better.

[Mark Jenkinson (Workington) (Con)]

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that veterans are protected from vexatious claims.

[Tom Randall (Gedling) (Con)]

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that veterans are protected from vexatious claims.

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

We rightly expect the highest standards of our service personnel. We also owe them justice and fairness. On 18 March 2020, I introduced the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill to tackle vexatious claims and end the cycle of reinvestigations against our armed forces personnel and veterans.

[Mark Jenkinson]

I associate myself with the good wishes to the Minister and his wife. In my constituency, Workington, there is an active veterans hub, members of which I met earlier this year. What support can the Department provide for our veterans as they leave the forces to find alternative employment in Workington and other areas across Britain?

Oral Answers to Questions

Mark Jenkinson Excerpts

Monday 3rd February 2020 Commons Chamber

[James Heappey]

On the Fleet Solid Support Ships, the competition has not yet been restarted. May I draw the hon. Gentleman’s attention to the Type 31, where there is a requirement that it should be built in the United Kingdom? That is a model we should be looking to emulate as much as possible.

[Mark Jenkinson (Workington) (Con)]

4. What steps his Department is taking to support veterans and their families.

[James Wild (North West Norfolk) (Con)]

8. What steps his Department is taking to support veterans and their families.

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

The strategy for our veterans outlines a 10-year vision. The MOD has launched a new holistic transition policy, broadening the support offered to our people. Resettlement policy and the career transition partnership provide this employment support.

[Mark Jenkinson]

Will my hon. Friend join me in thanking businesses in my constituency, such as Iggesund, James Walker & Co and TSP Engineering, among others, that have actively recruited veterans? Will he pledge his support for companies like them to help veterans after their valued service?

[Johnny Mercer]

I certainly pay tribute to my hon. Friend and the company he mentions. Veterans in this country are a significant untapped resource, and one primary objective of the Office for Veterans’ Affairs is to re-evaluate what the perception of veterans is in this country. They bring so much to so many companies across the land, including the one he mentions.