Veterans Issues
Veterans programme
Veterans programme
Veterans affairs secretariat
Veterans working arrangements
Veterans task force
Veterans forum
Veterans plenary
Minister's speeches
Veterans plenary
Question and Answer Session with the Minister for Veterans
- The Veterans Plenary held at the Victory Services Club on 26
March 2003
(Second - without Minister)
Alan Tizzard - National Service Veterans Alliance
Q1 This was a question I was hoping to put directly to the Minister. I have been pursuing this enquiry for a while without success. It relates to World War II and the award of a conscripts medal which has the support of many MPs who are interested in promoting veterans' interests. Would the Minister for Veterans be in a position to state at what date did the British military occupation of Germany change to that of a home posting under peace time conditions? This question is asked in order that replies to letters from the Minister for Veterans may be better understood by those who received them. I believe that the formal occupation of Germany ended in May 1954.
Head of DS Sec(Sec) - John Sinfield
A1 I was not aware that this question had been asked and I have no idea what the answer is. I will now find out and provide an answer.
Roy Wilson - Suez Veterans Association
Q2 Why does our organisation feel that we have to justify this campaign? The MOD tries to hide us under the carpet. Did my friends die for nothing? When will MOD give us permission to put up a commemorative plaque for those 58 men of the Royal Artillery who died?
Head of DS Sec(Sec) - John Sinfield
A2 No one needs MOD permission to put up a Plaque. You will have heard that there are plans for an Armed Forces Memorial. This will obviously include all those who died on operations in the Suez Canal area.
Alex Twickel - 9/12 Lancers
Q3 Presumably the Army still asks their leavers for a forwarding address. Why are these addresses no longer passed onto the Regimental Associations. Could we have access to these or are there data protection issues?
D Resettlement - Commodore Annette Picton
A3 These records are held by the Directorate of Personnel Army. I was not aware of any requirement to pass on these addresses to the Regimental Associations. I will look into this.
Debbie Bowles - War Widows Association
Q4 I am a member of the COBSEO Executive Committee and I sit on Working Group 6. The Kings College London team are due to present the results of their work to Working Group 6 the day after tomorrow. I am keen not to prejudge this presentation, but I have noted from the interim report published in November last year that there was nothing in the existing stock of research about elderly veterans and the effect on dementia of extreme military service. Given there are constraints on time for the elderly veterans and also on money we need to get this area researched quickly.
DG SP Pol - Liz Mcloughlin
A4 The final report will not address this specific problem. Further research will be needed to help us quickly address issues like this related to the ex-Service community. We talked earlier of the need for a proper research strategy rather than a series of research projects. It may be that King's or others with experience in this field can provide assistance. If the existing research shows gaps of the kind you refer to, then we would expect to address them in the research strategy. However, I am not sure how quick this will be, as it must be undertaken properly. In summary, I realise that more evidence is needed in a number of areas. Perhaps the people at Ilford Park may provide a suitable opportunity for further research on this particular subject?
John Regan - South West War Pensions Committee
Q5 I would like to pose a question relating to families of Service Personnel who are overseas. Since 1978 wives who worked prior to having children were then given a credit towards their state pension for each year they were in receipt of child benefit. Servicemen's wives overseas are being discriminated against in that there is no record of this, owing to the MOD convenience of paying that money to the husbands as they are entitled to Home Responsibilities Protection. The result is that when these wives come to retirement age their pensions are less than that to which they should be entitled. The MOD was made aware of this in 1992 and I would like to know if there has been any progress in this area?
DG SP Pol - Liz McLoughlin
A5 I wonder why it is for MOD to resolve this as I am unaware of this as an issue. It would seem appropriate that if there are narrow technical questions such as these, then it may be better for us to take them away and write to you on them.
Ewan Simmonds - Royal Army Pay Corps Association
A5 Maybe I can help answer that question. I am retired now and I have served in both Germany and Gibraltar. My wife and I have filled out the relevant forms to establish what entitlements she should have under Home Responsibilities Protection owing to my military service. She has been given a correct forecast and service abroad was taken into account. I therefore think this problem is not as great as is made out.
Cyril Blackburn - Suez Veterans Association
Q6 The Commonwealth War Graves Commission and MOD currently consider non-world
war graves to be from the beginning of 1948 rather than September 1945. I
wonder what the rational is behind that decision and would be grateful for
an explanation.
Head of DS Sec(Sec) - John Sinfield
A6 I believe this matter relates to the signing of Treaties. However, I will have to come back to you with a more detailed answer.
David Parker - Commonwealth War Graves Commission
A6 I would just like to add that our responsibilities take us up to the end of 1947 and although that is an arbitrary period, anything after that date would be the responsibility of the MOD. I do not think I've answered the question, but that is our position.
Derek Redfern - British Nuclear Test Veterans
Q7 What I would like to know is after this conflict in the Gulf will people who went to the Gulf be swept under the carpet?
Chairman COBSEO - Brigadier Ian Townsend
A7 I think we did actually have an answer to that question from the Minister and lessons have been learnt from the previous conflict and incorporated into many practices.
James Moore - National Gulf Veterans and Families Association
Q8 There seem to be some rumours about a Gulf Trust Fund being set up. My question is will this absorb the 1991 fund or be a separate entity?
DG SP Pol - Liz McLoughlin
A8 I think that the plans are still being worked up at this stage and more details will be made available by the Minister soon.
Ian Townsend then closed the Open Forum session by thanking all present for the support that they had provided to the Veterans Initiative, he was sure that all unanswered questions would be dealt with by the competent official.
