Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will estimate the cost to the public purse of guaranteeing veterans with mental health problems evidence-based treatment provided by practitioners with an understanding of veterans' needs within 18 weeks of referral.

The provision of mental health services for veterans is a matter for the Department of Health and therefore no such estimate has been undertaken.

You will be aware of the announcement made by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister on 8 October 2014, announcing new waiting time standards from April 2015 for the treatment of mental health conditions by NHS England. I also understand that the Scottish Government has set a target for the NHS in Scotland to deliver a maximum 18 week wait from referral to treatment for Psychological therapies from December 2014.