§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Prime Minister how many Government departments currently have responsibilities for the affairs of former service personnel. [43055]
§ The Prime MinisterEx-Service personnel are accorded the same access to services provided by Government Departments as every other citizen. It will depend on the nature of the services required as to which Government Department will be involved. However, the majority of cases are matters relating to the Ministry of Defence, the Department of Social Security, of which the War Pensions Agency is a part, and the Department of Health.
95W
§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Prime Minister if he will assess the advantages of having the affairs of former service personnel dealt with by a single Government department; what representations he has received on this matter; and if he will make a statement. [43056]
§ The Prime MinisterThe Government have received a number of representations on this subject. My hon. Friend the Minister for the Armed Forces met the Secretary General of the Royal British Legion on 11 March, when they discussed how best to improve the handling of ex-Service affairs. The Ministry of Defence are looking closely at options for approaching the wider question of matters relating to the ex-Service community in the light of these discussions.