Falkland War Veterans (Hansard, 20 July 1998)

§ 6. Mr. Gerry Sutcliffe (Bradford, South)
What steps his Department is taking to help Falkland war veterans. [49580]

§ The Minister for the Armed Forces (Dr. John Reid)
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 8 July, as part of the strategic defence review, our plans to set up a veterans' advice unit within the Ministry of Defence which will help to address the needs of all veterans, including those who served in the Falklands campaign. When the veterans' unit becomes operational later this year, it will help to make it much easier for all veterans to receive the best help available.

§ Mr. Sutcliffe
I thank my hon. Friend for that answer, which will be of assistance to all veterans. Falklands 772 veterans in particular are aggrieved on two issues, which were dismantled by the previous Government—stress management and the opportunity to revisit the Falkland islands. He will be aware of my constituent, David Brown, who still suffers from the traumas of the Falkland islands. Will my hon. Friend ask the unit to consider those two issues?

§ Dr. Reid
I thank my hon. Friend for his congratulations. I am pleased to be able to tell the House that we are to establish a veterans' unit, which is not only part of showing the commitment that we feel to men and woman who have served their country, but a long-standing demand of the British Legion and other interested parties. I commend them for the role that they have played.
On Falklands veterans, my hon. Friend would like to know that, as far as possible and within our power, we assist those who are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. He has previously raised the case of one constituent and knows that we take this matter seriously, but he will understand that it is not possible to promise that we will give all service men free flights back to the areas in which they served. There would be financial difficulties with that, and difficulties with Treasury guidelines, and the system might be open to abuse. I regret that, in the case that he raises—I believe that he raised it in March 1997—we could not provide a free flight back to the Falklands for his constituent, but we shall certainly look at the request for general assistance for Falklands veterans.

§ Mr. John Wilkinson (Ruislip-Northwood)
Although a veterans' unit within the Department is to be welcomed, would not Falklands veterans who are still serving, and those who did not serve in the Falklands war but have learnt its lessons, say that sufficient helicopters are crucial for amphibious operations? Would not they be concerned by her Majesty's Government's decision not to implement the proposed purchase of a second tranche of Merlin anti-submarine warfare helicopters? Will the Merlin still be a contender for the replacement of the HC4 Commando Sea King helicopters of the Royal Marines—[Interruption.]

§ Madam Speaker
Order. That question does not relate at all to the original question. Perhaps the Minister will reply to a little of it, but certainly not to the parts that are not relevant.

§ Dr. Reid
How could I defy your instructions, Madam Speaker, when they were so charmingly put?
All those who supported our forces during the Falklands campaign, would be heartened by the emphasis that this Government have placed, arising out of our strategic defence review, on coastal operations and amphibious capability, which were so important during the Falklands campaign. They would be particularly heartened by our confirmation of the importance of a full brigade-sized unit of the Royal Marines proceeding with the helicopter landing platform, as well as an increase in the number of armed forces personnel. They will be heartened by the fact that the Government support strong defence in practice, just as they did in 1982.