Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has conducted a review of its Welfare Groups examining the (a) relevance, (b) timeline and (c) methods by which information is delivered to families and next of kin following (i) bereavement and (ii) serious injury of (A) regular and (B) reserve personnel since 2013; and if he will make a statement.

The Casualty and Compassionate process is kept under constant review by both the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the single Services. The Defence Internal Auditors (DIA) conducted an end-to-end review of the process, publishing their report in October 2016. The MOD welcomed the report and was addressed the policy issues raised within it. In addition, in conjunction with the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre, a "Purple Pack" has been produced. This publication signposts and highlights various avenues of assistance available to families and friends in need. It is produced in electronic format, but hard copies can be printed should a family so wish. The Purple Pack can be accessed at the following address:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/joint-casualty-and-compassionate-centre-jccc