Oral Answers to Questions

Steve Double Excerpts

Monday 20th May 2019 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Well, we are certainly better informed, but it looks as though we can look forward to a good deal more banging on from the right hon. Member for Gainsborough (Sir Edward Leigh) on this important matter.

[Steve Double (St Austell and Newquay) (Con)]

10. What progress the Government have made on implementing the veterans strategy.

[Luke Graham (Ochil and South Perthshire) (Con)]

11. What progress the Government have made on implementing the veterans strategy.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Tobias Ellwood)]

The Government already do much to support our brave veterans and their families, but for the first time we are mapping out a 10-year strategy to give greater clarity on how we want that support to develop.

[Steve Double]

I thank the Minister for that answer. What role does he see the Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committee playing in the development of better care for our veterans? Is there not a case for renewing and revitalising the committee—after all, it is nearly 100 years old—so that it can play a more prominent and effective role?

[Mr Ellwood]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. He almost suggested—I am sure that he did not mean to—that the original members of the committee were still serving, but it has advanced and reformed, and I work with it very closely. It is important that when someone leaves the armed forces, they are supported by our country, which is indebted to them for their service. It is important that we use that committee and others to provide veterans with the support they expect.