Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

Oral Answers to Questions

Rachael Maskell Excerpts
Monday 30th January 2023

(1 year, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Andrew Murrison Portrait Dr Murrison
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I am aware that my hon. Friend knows Fort Blockhouse intimately, as indeed do I. It is aesthetically charming, but it is beyond reasonable repair when it comes to accommodating servicemen and women. We are spending money on HMS Collingwood, and I hope that it will be brought up to spec shortly.

Rachael Maskell Portrait Rachael Maskell (York Central) (Lab/Co-op)
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A week from today a constituent of mine, Samantha O’Neill—a veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan—is due to be made homeless from a hostel by City of York Council, which is a signatory to the armed forces covenant. What steps can the Minister take to ensure that she and her three children are not homeless a week from today?

Andrew Murrison Portrait Dr Murrison
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Obviously I cannot comment on a specific case when I do not have the details, but if the hon. Lady will send them to me, I will certainly look into them. Every local authority that signed up to the armed forces covenant needs to be mindful of its duty to look after servicemen, servicewomen and their families.