Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the total net cost is to his Department of the Defence Discount Service.

The Defence Discount Service is a valuable and tangible part of the nation's recognition and appreciation of the Armed Forces Community. It is also an important element in developing the Armed Forces Covenant across the UK. The Defence Discount Service gives members of the Armed Forces Community discounts both online and on the high street.

Blue Light Card Ltd provides this service at no cost to the MOD. There are over 253,000 people currently signed up to the service and this is currently increasing by over 1,600 members per month.

Further information regarding the Defence Discount Service can be found at

www.defencediscountservice.co.uk .