HL Deb 19 November 1998 vol 594 cc189-90WA
Lord Morris of Manchester

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How widely the Ministry of Defence's helpline and advice unit for the ex-Service community has been publicised; how many requests for guidance and help have so far been received; and what range of problems has been dealt with. [HL3808]

The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Gilbert)

The Veterans' Advice Unit was launched by the Minister of State for the Armed Forces on Monday 5 October in the presence of the media. A full information pack and press release for the launch was distributed to the national and regional media. The telephone number, 08456 02 03 02, which charges callers at local rates, is listed in all telephone directories under "Ministry of Defence Veterans' Advice Unit."

Since its launch, some 80,000 leaflets publicising the unit have been distributed through Resettlement Offices, the Confederation of British Service and Ex-Service Organisations, COBSEO, The Royal British Legion, SSAFA-Forces Help and other veterans' organisations and charities including the British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association, BLESMA, the Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society, "Combat Stress", and the Regular Forces Employment Association, among others.

The leaflet has been, or is being, sent to DSS benefit offices nation-wide, the War Pensions Agency and Citizens' Advice Bureaux. The "military media" such as Navy News, Soldier magazine, RAF News and the "British Forces Broadcasting Service" have carried items about the Unit. The MoD is continuing to look for ways in which the unit can be publicised.

In the six weeks that the Veterans' Advice Unit has been operational, the unit has taken nearly 1,100 calls. Most calls can be dealt with immediately, but some require investigative work and a subsequent return call to the enquirer.

The range of problems dealt with has been quite diverse, including homecare and housing, Falklands and Gulf war issues, finance, the tracing of relatives, War Graves and historical records, among others. However, the largest number of calls have concerned pensions, employment, the provision of medals and information about the unit itself.