The Minister confirmed that they are working across multiple departments and already have measures in place to implement the recommendations. However, he agreed it would be appropriate to establish an official team for coordinated delivery.

The Minister stated that they have established a digital front door for veterans and will be providing further details on specific measures to help address mental health issues arising from past traumas. He assured MPs that support would include training allies within the armed forces.

The Minister confirmed that they will be looking into a fair and transparent process for returning medals and honours. He stated that this is an important part of making amends and restoring dignity.

The Minister noted that while some chaplains did pass on information to superiors, this does not constitute a cover-up. He emphasised that the policy decision regarding legacy police investigation records was made to prevent criminal record checks from showing decriminalised offences.

The Minister explained that serving overseas presented unique challenges and risks for LGBT personnel. He committed to ensuring support systems are in place for those affected.

The Secretary of State acknowledged the hon. Member's points and stated that while they share a desire to honour LGBT+ veterans, some recommendations require careful consideration due to issues like GDPR compliance or differences in opinion within the community. He provided an example of differing views on whether there should be a separate badge for LGBT+ veterans versus them receiving the same badge as other veterans. Mr Wallace pledged to work with organisations such as Fighting With Pride and assured that they would engage with the Labour party ahead of any debate on these matters.

The Secretary of State responded by praising the hon. Member’s bravery and ongoing campaigning for LGBT rights and promised to hold to the spirit and intentions behind the recommendations while implementing them transparently. He acknowledged that there may not always be a perfect answer due to differing views within the community, but they will consult closely with affected individuals to find an appropriate solution.

I am grateful to my honourable colleague across the Floor. As he says, we never know: he may find me back in the Scottish Parliament, where it all began.

I cannot answer the question of why it took 22 years. All I can say is that, from the authority I have in my office for now, having been able to commission this report and start this process is something that I am proud and pleased to have done.

I am grateful to the hon. Member for his question and for his service. On the hon. Gentleman’s question of making sure that those veterans who want their service record to say what they want it to and being open about it, we absolutely should see a way of how we can accommodate that.

That is a pretty cruel reflection on a state, and it affected not just LGBT people but women. In the first and second world wars, women kept industry going. They kept the home fires burning and kept the factories going.

In answer to both: yes. Also, some veterans were told that they did not qualify for medals in the first place. They, too, will be able to have their medals from now on.

I am grateful to my hon. Friend. If the truth be known, I do not think I ever got an A in anything. Maybe I am finishing this job without being found out.

Will write to Kevan Jones to clarify the pathway to pension benefits. Recognises the need for financial awards and will work with campaigners like Fighting With Pride on implementation. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) will predominantly handle this, but some aspects will involve other Government departments.

Acknowledges the importance of training foreign militaries on upholding human rights laws. Explains that while senior commanders played a role in the past ban, broader societal attitudes were also culpable.

Acknowledges some delay was due to a rush for speed but says if Efford writes on behalf of his constituent, he will ensure their pension rights are restored.

Agrees and says that inclusivity is important for recruitment, emphasising the desire of personnel to belong within a diverse community.

Agrees that implementation of all recommendations will be key, not just financial awards. Emphasises avoiding making this issue partisan.

Explains there is a strong D&I plan, guided by the Equality Act 2010. Ensures all Chief of Staff appointments embrace diversity.

Some recommendations will involve government and charitable sectors, working across national and local governments.

Acknowledges the difficulty but hopes affected veterans will read Lord Etherton's report and use the Government website to come forward.

The first thing to do is to have exposure to everybody in the community and for people to be able to talk about their sexuality and experiences without fear or hindrance. My children’s experiences and ability to talk about a range of things are very different from those of my generation. That is because these things are much more acceptable to be talked about. Every time a soldier in training meets someone from the LGBT community who is sitting next door to them or is on a patrol with them, we see that that is the strongest way to change the culture. That is the first challenge: let us get more people from the LGBT community joining our armed forces, as that will help change the culture for good.

I totally hear what my hon. Friend is saying. I have just made certain decisions on exactly that issue that I cannot yet talk about. The relationship between the church and the military is complicated, with respect to church premises and so on. I am happy to write to him to set out the details. My intention is that these military premises or church premises should be open to administer marriages and so on to people of all orientations.

Some of what we are doing comes out of the excellent work done by my hon. Friend the Member for Wrexham (Sarah Atherton) on women in the armed forces, such as allowing people to feel that they can make a complaint about inappropriate behaviour and ensuring that inappropriate behaviour is dealt with outside the chain of command. The service complaints route used to go via the chain of command, which understandably caused all sorts of problems for people about who they complain to and whether they should complain to their boss about their behaviour. Part of that route is about saying, “If you feel something is inappropriate, you can make a proper complaint right through the system. If senior officers or officers are not acting on those complaints, not only will that affect their career, because the ombudsman can rule on that, but something can be done.” First, this is about upholding the standards we wish to have and making sure that unacceptable behaviour is dealt with there and then, on the spot. That is the first thing: to make it a welcoming environment.

As a Scots Guard, I had better not make a comment on the Royal Marines. All I would say to my first Whip when I joined this House is that that is the point: the men and women of our armed forces all belong to a common endeavour, which is to keep this country safe. That was what was forgotten in all those years. What matters is the skill they bring to bear to deal with the enemy. As my hon. Friend says, I would much rather everyone shot straight.

The feeling of rejection that those men and women must have felt will stay with many of them all their lives, which is something we have to do our very best to help solve. It must have been awful for people to think that they were helping society, and society, at that time, telling them that they did not belong. Wherever they are, we should help to look after them and urge the regiments and the veterans associations—I am president of the Scots Guards Association in Lancashire—to reach out and ask them to rejoin the family if they feel excluded.