Debate on Thursday, 22 November 2018, in the House of Commons, led by Tobias Ellwood. The answering member was Nia Griffith.

Armed Forces Covenant

Motion that this House has considered the Armed Forces Covenant. Agreed to on question.

Secondary information

Type: Parliamentary proceeding
Reference: 649 cc1052-1095
Session: 2017-19
Department: Ministry of Defence
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Related items: Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report 2017. Defence Committee ninth report with formal minutes.
Tuesday, 26 June 2018
Parliamentary committees
House of Commons; Mental health and the Armed Forces: Part One: The scale of mental health issues. Defence Committee eleventh report with formal minutes.
Thursday, 19 July 2018
Parliamentary committees
House of Commons; Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report 2017. Government response to the Committee's ninth report of session 2017-19. Defence Committee eleventh special report.
Tuesday, 11 September 2018
Parliamentary committees
House of Commons; Mental health and the armed forces, part one: the scale of mental health issues. Government response to the Committee's eleventh report of session 2017-19. Defence Committee's twelfth special report.
Tuesday, 9 October 2018
Parliamentary committees
House of Commons; Armed Forces Covenant
Wednesday, 21 November 2018
Research briefings
Proceeding contributions: Tobias Ellwood | 649 c1053 (Link to this contribution)
I beg to move,
That this House has considered the Armed Forces Covenant.
It is a plea...; Desmond Swayne | 649 c1053 (Link to this contribution)
My right hon. Friend mentioned liberty. A disproportionate number of our veterans are actually in...; Tobias Ellwood | 649 c1053 (Link to this contribution)
I am grateful for that early intervention. I will come on to that subject, but my right hon. Frie...; Andrew Murrison | 649 c1053 (Link to this contribution)
Does the Minister agree that the same applies to the idea that veterans are disproportionately re...; Tobias Ellwood | 649 c1054 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend touches on the essence of the covenant, which I will come to. He also underlines t...; Jim Cunningham | 649 c1054 (Link to this contribution)
What are the Government doing to assist the families of ex-soldiers who have mental health proble...; Tobias Ellwood | 649 c1054 (Link to this contribution)
Support for mental health—or what I prefer to call mental fitness—is critical to what the covenan...; Paul Sweeney | 649 c1054 (Link to this contribution)
Does the Minister also recognise that the 1906 Haldane reforms created the Territorial Force, whi...; Tobias Ellwood | 649 cc1054-5 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. I do not know where we draw a line on those reforms, but ...; James Heappey | 649 c1055 (Link to this contribution)
The Minister mentions the poppy in passing, but does he share my distaste about some of the remar...; Tobias Ellwood | 649 c1055 (Link to this contribution)
I think my hon. Friend speaks for the whole House in supporting the poppy and the work of the cam...; Lord Bellingham | 649 c1055 (Link to this contribution)
I have looked at the document very carefully, and I can find nothing in it about the veterans, pa...; Tobias Ellwood | 649 c1056 (Link to this contribution)
May I pay tribute to the work my hon. Friend is doing along with other Back Benchers on this part...; Andrew Murrison | 649 c1056 (Link to this contribution)
The Minister has laid out the contract contained in the military covenant, but does he agree with...; Tobias Ellwood | 649 c1056 (Link to this contribution)
I pay tribute to my hon. Friend, who is a former naval officer. I would correct him about where t...; Chris Elmore | 649 c1056 (Link to this contribution)
The right hon. Gentleman read out the opening remarks of the covenant. I am sure he will agree th...; Tobias Ellwood | 649 c1056 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Gentleman touches on something that is so critical to the armed forces covenant. It is n...; Chris Davies | 649 c1056 (Link to this contribution)
On that particular point, will my right hon. Friend confirm how many local authorities are not si...; Tobias Ellwood | 649 c1057 (Link to this contribution)
I am pleased to say that all local authorities are signed up, but signing up to something is not ...; James Heappey | 649 c1057 (Link to this contribution)
Almost all public bodies—all local authorities and many clinical commissioning groups and schools...; Tobias Ellwood | 649 c1057 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend mentions two issues, on which I share his concern. On clinical commissioning group...; David Drew | 649 c1057 (Link to this contribution)
I do not want to talk figures, but from my experience a worrying number of veterans take their ow...; Tobias Ellwood | 649 c1058 (Link to this contribution)
I absolutely agree with the hon. Gentleman. We have introduced the Samaritans handbook to provide...; Gavin Robinson | 649 c1058 (Link to this contribution)
The Minister has just made an important point, and it is important that he recognises the infancy...; Tobias Ellwood | 649 c1058 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Gentleman raises an important issue. I was in Northern Ireland for Remembrance Sunday an...; James Heappey | 649 c1058 (Link to this contribution)
Speak for yourself!; Tobias Ellwood | 649 cc1058-9 (Link to this contribution)
Well let’s go out and do a basic fitness test and see how we get on. My point is that, in our tim...; Paul Sweeney | 649 c1059 (Link to this contribution)
The Minister is making a positive effort to outline the vision we ought to have, which I think ev...; Tobias Ellwood | 649 c1059 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Gentleman is right, and I will come on to the details of mental health and wellbeing, an...; James Heappey | 649 c1059 (Link to this contribution)
My right hon. Friend is right. Over the three tours that I did, in 2005, 2007 and 2009, the diffe...; Tobias Ellwood | 649 cc1059-1061 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The whole aspect of decompression is new, too. When our armed...; Ross Thomson | 649 c1060 (Link to this contribution)
On local authorities, will my right hon. Friend join me in congratulating Aberdeen City Council, ...; Tobias Ellwood | 649 cc1060-3 (Link to this contribution)
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his intervention. He is absolutely right. He highlights the f...; Bob Stewart | 649 c1063 (Link to this contribution)
What is my right hon. Friend’s position on the boarding school allowance for service children? Th...; Tobias Ellwood | 649 cc1063-5 (Link to this contribution)
All these questions get raised regularly with the Treasury. I know in my time how important this ...; Nia Griffith | 649 cc1065-6 (Link to this contribution)
The armed forces covenant represents the solemn and enduring commitment that we owe to members of...; Nick Smith | 649 c1066 (Link to this contribution)
Local authorities are key to this topic, as they are responsible for housing and social services....; Nia Griffith | 649 cc1066-7 (Link to this contribution)
I absolutely agree that we want the full support of all our local authorities, and our health boa...; Alex Sobel | 649 c1067 (Link to this contribution)
Does my hon. Friend agree that it is the use of the private sector that has created this crisis i...; Nia Griffith | 649 cc1067-8 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend makes a good point. There is the issue of privatising services, but there is also ...; James Heappey | 649 c1068 (Link to this contribution)
The 2010 data coincide with an end to the most regular and intense operations, and it is indeed a...; Nia Griffith | 649 cc1068-9 (Link to this contribution)
I thank the hon. Gentleman for that valid point.
The number of training exercises that have...; James Heappey | 649 c1069 (Link to this contribution)
As a former adjutant, I agree very much that the best recruiters are serving military personnel a...; Nia Griffith | 649 c1069 (Link to this contribution)
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his intervention, but I am asking why we are privatising more serv...; Jim Shannon | 649 c1069 (Link to this contribution)
Does the hon. Lady recognise that there is a disproportionate number of veterans in Northern Irel...; Nia Griffith | 649 c1069 (Link to this contribution)
I thank the hon. Gentleman for making a valid point, and we are very grateful to all those from N...; Wayne David | 649 cc1069-1070 (Link to this contribution)
On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. We have been informed that the Prime Minister is to make ...; Lindsay Hoyle | 649 c1070 (Link to this contribution)
It is good practice to share such information and there is still time. If Her Majesty’s Oppositio...; Tobias Ellwood | 649 c1070 (Link to this contribution)
Further to that point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. May I confirm that, in coming to the House and...; Lindsay Hoyle | 649 c1070 (Link to this contribution)
That is the best practice, and I am sure you will advise the Prime Minister on how to take it for...; Gavin Robinson | 649 c1070 (Link to this contribution)
On a point of order, The outworking of the statement that we are due to hear at 3 o’clock this af...; Lindsay Hoyle | 649 c1070 (Link to this contribution)
In fairness, that is also in the hands of Members such as your good self, who have put in to spea...; Julian Lewis | 649 cc1070-1 (Link to this contribution)
In view of the unexpected extra performance by the Prime Minister this afternoon, I shall endeavo...; Bob Stewart | 649 c1071 (Link to this contribution)
May I wholeheartedly endorse that comment? The Minister currently on the Treasury Bench, who open...; Julian Lewis | 649 c1071 (Link to this contribution)
And so say all of us. I hope the Whips are listening and act accordingly—[Interruption.] Even at ...; Lindsay Hoyle | 649 c1072 (Link to this contribution)
Another resignation?; Julian Lewis | 649 c1072 (Link to this contribution)
Heaven forbid.
Other matters deserved equal attention today. We have heard about the legal ...; Madeleine Moon | 649 c1072 (Link to this contribution)
indicated assent.; Julian Lewis | 649 cc1072-3 (Link to this contribution)
I am glad to see that she will—very good. We look forward to that.
Very recently—it arrived...; Gavin Robinson | 649 c1073 (Link to this contribution)
The Chair of the Select Committee is right not only to highlight that anomaly but to press the po...; Julian Lewis | 649 c1073 (Link to this contribution)
My excellent friend, for that is what he is—he is another pillar of strength to me on the Defence...; Bob Stewart | 649 c1073 (Link to this contribution)
My right hon. Friend has just read out a very touching story. John would expect his country to lo...; Julian Lewis | 649 c1074 (Link to this contribution)
I entirely agree with my hon. and gallant Friend. Of all 650 Members of this House, he knows bett...; Lindsay Hoyle | 649 c1074 (Link to this contribution)
The Whip is there.; Julian Lewis | 649 c1074 (Link to this contribution)
Okay, I will do my best. I do not intend to elaborate over and above the words, which speak for t...; Bob Stewart | 649 c1075 (Link to this contribution)
And backdated.; Julian Lewis | 649 c1075 (Link to this contribution)
And backdated.; Madeleine Moon | 649 c1075 (Link to this contribution)
I wish to thank the Chairman of the Select Committee, particularly for the leadership he gives th...; Julian Lewis | 649 cc1075-6 (Link to this contribution)
That is a wonderful idea, and it is exactly the sort of constructive suggestion I would expect fr...; Douglas Chapman | 649 c1076 (Link to this contribution)
Let me echo the comments made by the esteemed Chair of the Select Committee and congratulate our ...; Madeleine Moon | 649 c1076 (Link to this contribution)
I would not want people to think I had already got above myself, in not being here for the start ...; Douglas Chapman | 649 cc1076-7 (Link to this contribution)
I welcome the opportunity to speak in this important debate on a topic that affects every Member ...; Madeleine Moon | 649 c1077 (Link to this contribution)
One of the issues brought to my attention by John Allison is the problem with local authorities’ ...; Douglas Chapman | 649 cc1077-9 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Lady makes a valid point, and I will discuss what is happening in that regard in Scotlan...; Chris Davies | 649 cc1078-1080 (Link to this contribution)
It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Dunfermline and West Fife (Douglas Chapman). I, to...; Tobias Ellwood | 649 c1080 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend has raised such an important case. Combat stress does such an amazing job, but in ...; Chris Davies | 649 c1081 (Link to this contribution)
I thank the Minister for his wise words and his support for this case. There is criticism of Comb...; Madeleine Moon | 649 c1081 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Gentleman mentioned that Gus served in the Falklands. I do not know whether part of the ...; Chris Davies | 649 cc1081-2 (Link to this contribution)
I thank the hon. Lady for her intervention, and I congratulate her on her election referred to ea...; Madeleine Moon | 649 c1082 (Link to this contribution)
I thank the hon. Gentleman for giving way. We in Wales can be especially proud that Parc Prison, ...; Chris Davies | 649 c1082 (Link to this contribution)
A lady with a prison—you can’t beat that, can you? I congratulate the hon. Lady on that.; Bob Stewart | 649 c1082 (Link to this contribution)
I am a spokesman for Care after Combat. Jim Davidson is a very good friend of mine. Care after Co...; Chris Davies | 649 c1082 (Link to this contribution)
I thank my hon. Friend for that intervention. He has just stolen my summing-up line, but I can th...; Alex Sobel | 649 cc1082-4 (Link to this contribution)
The armed forces covenant is an extremely important document not just because it recognises the v...; Anne-Marie Trevelyan | 649 cc1084-5 (Link to this contribution)
It is an absolute pleasure to speak in this debate. I set up the all-party parliamentary group on...; Madeleine Moon | 649 c1085 (Link to this contribution)
One of the other issues is the lack of understanding when families are not in community-based sch...; Anne-Marie Trevelyan | 649 c1086 (Link to this contribution)
The hon. Lady is absolutely right. It is great to see in this year’s report that more guidance is...; James Heappey | 649 c1086 (Link to this contribution)
Before my hon. Friend moves on to veterans, let me say that she has been an amazing champion for ...; Anne-Marie Trevelyan | 649 cc1086-7 (Link to this contribution)
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Businesses underestimate the value of the incredible workforc...; Bob Stewart | 649 c1087 (Link to this contribution)
PTSD Resolution is a very small charity that has an incredible impact. It does not pay anyone any...; Anne-Marie Trevelyan | 649 c1087 (Link to this contribution)
There are many such charities that do specific, targeted work, and we need to try to chip away to...; Gavin Robinson | 649 cc1087-9 (Link to this contribution)
I am grateful for the opportunity to speak and to follow the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (...; Paul Masterton | 649 cc1089-1090 (Link to this contribution)
It is a pleasure, as always, to follow my friend from across the water, the hon. Member for Belfa...; James Cleverly | 649 cc1090-1 (Link to this contribution)
My constituency sits between Carver barracks to the west and Colchester garrison to the east, and...; Mike Penning | 649 c1091 (Link to this contribution)
Will my hon. Friend give way?; James Cleverly | 649 c1091 (Link to this contribution)
I think I would get a very stern look if I gave way to my right hon. Friend, so unfortunately I w...; Wayne David | 649 cc1091-3 (Link to this contribution)
I begin by echoing and reinforcing the earlier comments of the Chair of the Defence Select Commit...; Tobias Ellwood | 649 cc1093-4 (Link to this contribution)
It is a pleasure to conclude this important debate on the support for the armed forces covenant. ...; Lord Soames of Fletching | 649 c1094 (Link to this contribution)
Will my right hon. Friend give way?; Tobias Ellwood | 649 c1094 (Link to this contribution)
I will not be giving way.
I pay tribute to the work that has been done to support Gus Hales...; Baroness Winterton of Doncaster | 649 c1094 (Link to this contribution)
Order. The House needs to quieten down a bit, because we need to hear the Minister.; Tobias Ellwood | 649 c1094 (Link to this contribution)
I was about to get offended. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.
The hon. Member for Leeds Nor...; Lord Soames of Fletching | 649 c1094 (Link to this contribution)
Will the Minister give way?; Tobias Ellwood | 649 cc1094-5 (Link to this contribution)
I am sorry, I will not give way. If I have time, I will give way shortly.
I am pleased to p...
Subjects: Access Children Armed forces Contracts for services Employment Housing Families Education Homelessness Local government Northern Ireland Recruitment Pensions Mental health services Mental health Standards Suicide Armed forces covenant Veterans Clinical commissioning groups
Link: View this Parliamentary proceeding on hansard.parliament.uk

Armed Forces Covenant

Secondary information

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