Oral Answers to Questions

Rachel Maclean Excerpts

Monday 25th March 2019 Commons Chamber

[Maria Caulfield (Lewes) (Con)]

19. What steps he is taking to improve veterans’ access to support services.

[Rachel Maclean (Redditch) (Con)]

23. What steps he is taking to improve veterans’ access to support services.

[Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab)]

Is this a Whips’ question?

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Ellwood]

My hon. Friend is right to focus on specific issues where we need to increase our support. One reason why we are putting together the veterans strategy is to understand where we can do more. The prison sector is one area. She touches on the transition process. It is so important that as people depart the armed forces they know where help can be provided. We are now getting back in touch with armed forces personnel and their families 12 months after they have departed to check on their progress.

[Rachel Maclean]

Ubi-tech is a business in my constituency made up completely of ex-service people. It is expanding fast and provides services to the MOD and others. It also provides resettlement training and is a supporter of the armed forces covenant. Given that, does the Minister agree that it is not surprising that the business regards the decision to prosecute soldier F after 47 years with absolute dismay? How does the Minister respond to that?

[Mr Ellwood]

The Northern Ireland prosecution service made an independent judgment on that. I think it would be wrong for us to make any judgment on the Government side. What my hon. Friend illustrates is another great example of veterans charities doing fantastic work on a local basis, and if there is an opportunity to visit her constituency, I would be delighted to meet it.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Minister for the Armed Forces (Mark Lancaster)]

As the hon. Gentleman knows, we neither confirm nor deny the use of our special forces.

[Rachel Maclean (Redditch) (Con)]

T5. As a proud member of the armed forces parliamentary scheme, I have been privileged to visit a number of servicemen and women around the world. Does the Secretary of State agree it is a fantastic career for women, as well as men? Can he update me on what more he is doing to encourage more women to join our armed services?

[Gavin Williamson]

As was touched upon earlier, we are very much showing and leading by example with the promotion of many women into some of the highest roles within the Army, the Navy and, of course, the Royal Air Force. We have been looking at how we do our advertising and how we reach out to encourage more women to understand there is a very positive career in our armed forces.