Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to accept the recommendation in the report by Lord Etherton LGBT Veterans Independent Review, published on 19 July 2023, to establish a scheme to compensate those who lost their jobs in the armed services between 1967 and 2000 as a result of the discrimination against LGBTQ+ people; and what plans they have to extend or replicate the scheme for former employees of (1) the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and (2) the Security Services, who similarly lost their jobs as a result of the ban on homosexuality for serving officers.

Lord Etherton has concluded his independent review and submitted his report and recommendations to the Secretary of State for Defence and the Minister for Veterans' Affairs in the Cabinet Office. The Government will now consider the report and recommendations and decide which Departments are best placed to take action. Defence is committed to responding in full in due course after giving the report due consideration, as per the terms of reference. Defence has accepted the recommendation of a financial award, noting that such schemes take time to establish. Further detail on eligibility will be included in the full response.

Any consideration of compensation, or decision to mirror any arrangements which Defence may put in place, for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and Security Services staff dismissed due to their sexuality is a matter for the FCDO and Home Office to consider.