Asked by: Justin Tomlinson (Conservative - North Swindon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make it his policy to issue a National Defence Medal to all armed forces service personnel and veterans.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 14 December 2015 to Question 19127 to the hon. Member for Great Grimsby (Melanie Onn).
Asked by: Justin Tomlinson (Conservative - North Swindon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make it his policy to recognise the Coleshill Auxiliers with a specific service medal.
Answered by Mike Penning
I refer the hon. Member to the answers given by my hon. Friend the then Minister for Defence Personnel and Veterans (Anna Soubry), on 8 May 2014, (Official Report, column 278W), and 10 October 2013, (Official Report, columns 414-15W). There are no plans to institute a specific award for the Coleshill Auxiliers. However, please be assured that this does not imply that their contribution to the defence of the country has not been appreciated.
Asked by: Justin Tomlinson (Conservative - North Swindon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2016 to Question 44796, how many companies have signed the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant since 2 September 2016.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
Since 2 September 2016 a further 302 companies have signed the Armed Forces Covenant.
Asked by: Justin Tomlinson (Conservative - North Swindon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 2 December 2016 to Question 55493, what progress has been made on extending the availability of the HM Forces Railcard since the meeting of the Rail Delivery Group in December 2016.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
This issue was raised at meeting with the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) in December 2016.
The Railcard is administered by Ministry of Defence (MOD) Human Resources personnel so the cost of a Railcard to Service personnel is considerably cheaper than the cost of cards administered by Train Company personnel.
The position remains unchanged since 2013 as a Railcard is a concession given by the Rail Companies and the MOD has no power on the decisions made by the commercial Rail Companies.
Asked by: Justin Tomlinson (Conservative - North Swindon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will take steps to ensure that future charges for use of Ministry of Defence land for civilian events are set at a rate that ensures the long-term financial viability and sustainability of physical activities such as orienteering and are consistent with the Government's cross-departmental Sporting Future strategy.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The public are able to stage civilian events on Ministry of Defence land where it does not impact military capability. Our rates are competitive and comparable to similar hiring charges in the locality. This approach is consistent with the aims of the Sporting Future strategy.
Asked by: Justin Tomlinson (Conservative - North Swindon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 29 November 2016 to Question 54837, when the next scheduled review is of the HM Forces Railcard.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin - Shadow Minister (Business and Trade)
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not have a scheduled review in place, however;
MOD officials and members of the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) last considered this issue in 2013. The issue will be raised at the next meeting with the RDG later this month.
The RDG operate the current concession and any estimate in terms of costs and the decision to extend the eligibility is a matter for the Association of Train Operating Companies. When the issue was considered in 2013 it was estimated that there were approximately 4.8 million individuals who may have been eligible.
Service veterans who are members of the Volunteer Reserve are eligible for the HM Forces Railcard, and may also be eligible for other National Railcards (the Veterans Concessionary Travel Scheme for example) which include the various fares and offers made to travellers by the UK Rail Operators. Although these do not cover every personal situation they do provide an option for many rail users. Further details can be found at www.nationalrail.co.uk (Discounts) and www.railcard.co.uk
Asked by: Justin Tomlinson (Conservative - North Swindon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 29 November 2016 to Question 54837, if he will estimate the cost of extending the availability of the HM Forces Railcard to veterans.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin - Shadow Minister (Business and Trade)
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not have a scheduled review in place, however;
MOD officials and members of the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) last considered this issue in 2013. The issue will be raised at the next meeting with the RDG later this month.
The RDG operate the current concession and any estimate in terms of costs and the decision to extend the eligibility is a matter for the Association of Train Operating Companies. When the issue was considered in 2013 it was estimated that there were approximately 4.8 million individuals who may have been eligible.
Service veterans who are members of the Volunteer Reserve are eligible for the HM Forces Railcard, and may also be eligible for other National Railcards (the Veterans Concessionary Travel Scheme for example) which include the various fares and offers made to travellers by the UK Rail Operators. Although these do not cover every personal situation they do provide an option for many rail users. Further details can be found at www.nationalrail.co.uk (Discounts) and www.railcard.co.uk
Asked by: Justin Tomlinson (Conservative - North Swindon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make it his policy to extend the criteria for the use of the HM Forces railcard to veterans.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
HM Forces Railcard is governed by a contract between the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) and the Ministry of Defence. The provision of the railcard is a concession and not a condition of service. The terms and conditions are periodically reviewed by the Department and ATOC, and there are currently no plans to extend the current concession or establish a separate railcard for Service veterans.
Asked by: Justin Tomlinson (Conservative - North Swindon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make it his policy to establish a separate railcard for armed forces veterans as part of his policy initiatives arising from the Armed Forces Covenant.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
HM Forces Railcard is governed by a contract between the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) and the Ministry of Defence. The provision of the railcard is a concession and not a condition of service. The terms and conditions are periodically reviewed by the Department and ATOC, and there are currently no plans to extend the current concession or establish a separate railcard for Service veterans.
Asked by: Justin Tomlinson (Conservative - North Swindon)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to support armed forces veterans who are disabled or have a long-term health condition.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The NHS in England and the Devolved Administrations provide healthcare for all veterans, including those with disabilities and long-term health conditions. Specific services are in place to meet mental health and prosthetic needs.
For details of some of the most recent improvements the Government has made to ensure that seriously injured veterans receive the care and support they deserve I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement on ‘Veterans Healthcare’ I made on 13 July 2016 (HCWS86).
All veterans, including those who are disabled or have a long term health condition, are able to access the support offered by the Veterans UK helpline and website and the Veterans Welfare Service.