HC Deb 22 November 1994 vol 250 cc461-2
11. Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Minister is responsible in his Department for the interests of veterans, war widows and dependants.

Mr. Soames

On those issues upon which my Department has direct dealings with veterans, war widows and dependants, my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence is usually the Minister responsible.

Mr. Mackinlay

Will the Minister speak to the Prime Minister about the House's decision on 1 July 1994, which called for a dedicated Minister for the affairs of ex-service men and women? Will he reflect on the fact that it has all-party support and that the Royal British Legion has argued for it on behalf of war widows, the prisoners of war from the second world war and the countless people who bear the physical and emotional scars of past conflicts? Is not it time that we had a Minister for veterans' affairs as do the other allies?

Mr. Soames

The hon. Gentleman has a fine record of supporting the interests of veterans and their dependants. I shall draw his remarks to the attention of my right hon. Friend. The Government are certain that it is in the best interests of ex-service personnel that provision for them is integrated as far as possible with that of the wider community. It is our intention to ensure that they have a high quality of service, which they do. All experience shows that the sort of organisation suggested by the hon. Gentleman would only add to bureaucracy. A meeting is taking place tomorrow with my hon. and noble Friend, Ministers from the Department of Social Security and officials from the Royal British Legion at which these representations will be discussed. I shall ensure that a report is sent to the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Jessel

In upholding the interests of veterans, is it not necessary to uplift the spirits of veterans, like those of the Royal British Legion, who my hon. Friend saw marching in Belgium two months ago on the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Belgium? They marched behind the bands of the Welsh Guards and Grenadier Guards, which were trained at the Royal Military school of music at Kneller Hall, Twickenham, whose high standards and excellence are the envy of the world. Will he uphold that too?

Mr. Soames

Veterans are not the only people who are upheld by the emotion and brilliance of our military music. My hon. Friend is right. He is a vigorous champion for the marvellous Royal Military school of music at Kneller hall. No occasion on which veterans gather would be complete without the sound of British military music.