Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the adequacy of support available to veterans subject to ongoing historic investigations.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is committed to supporting its people who act reasonably and in good faith in the course of their duties or work-related activities. All members of the Armed Forces, including the Reserve Forces, are entitled to legal support (regardless of the type of legal proceeding) at public expense where they face allegations that relate to actions taken during their employment or service, and where they were performing their duties. This is the case irrespective of the individual's length of service, the duration of any proceedings, and the length of time that has passed since the incident in question. The entitlement to legal support also applies to former service personnel, provided that the incident in question occurred while they were serving in the Armed Forces or employed by the MOD.

The MOD has also developed a comprehensive package of welfare support for veterans, including the establishment of the Army Operational Legacy Branch (AOLB) in 2020. The full range of legal and pastoral support available to veterans is set out in the Written Ministerial Statement made by the Secretary of State for Defence on 13 April 2021.

The MOD also works closely with the Office for Veterans' Affairs to ensure individuals can be signposted to the right additional support should they need it.