Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of representations from veterans who remain ineligible for elements of the restorative measures, including those dismissed before 1967 and those who contend they were compelled to leave Service because of the ban.

The LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme (FRS) focuses on providing recognition for the harm caused by the policy Defence upheld from 1967 to 2000, when homosexuality was decriminalised in criminal law. Whilst this approach was recommended by Lord Etherton in his Independent Review, the Government acknowledges that LGBT veterans who served prior to 1967 may have had similar experiences to those serving under the Ban.

In recognition of those LGBT personnel who served prior to 1967, Defence has extended four non-financial measures, which make permanent changes to their service history, and aligns with other restorative processes in place across government for veterans and civilians who were impacted by historic law relating to same-sex sexual acts.

Those who felt compelled to leave service are included in the FRS and are encouraged to apply for the LGBT Impact Payment. This provides recognition for a broad range of impacts felt under the Ban, including any pressure to resign. This operates alongside the LGBT Dismissed or Discharged Payment for those that were dismissed or discharged.