Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Veterans: Protection from Vexatious Claims

Monday 24 May 2021 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Department delivered the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Act 2021 on 29 April 2021.
  • Work is ongoing to communicate the landmark Act through various channels to ensure it is widely known.
  • The Secretary of State has tasked Justice Richard Henriques to conduct an investigation into the service justice system.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Matt Vickers Con Stockton West
Veterans
Context

The MP inquired about the steps being taken to protect veterans from vexatious legal claims.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to protect veterans from vexatious legal claims?

Answer from Leo Docherty

On 29 April 2021, we delivered the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Act 2021, which is a landmark piece of legislation that will mean that our armed forces in the future can deploy with confidence when they are going around the world to do their duty.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The act's details were not specified, and no specific measures against vexatious claims were mentioned.

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Q2 Sally-Ann Hart
Veterans
Context

The MP expressed gratitude for the delivery of the Overseas Operations Act and asked about communication efforts.

Question

I am grateful to my hon. Friend and the Secretary of State for delivering this important piece of legislation, and to his predecessor, my hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth, Moor View (Johnny Mercer), for his important contribution. Will my hon. Friend the Minister outline what work has been done to communicate important changes contained in the Act to servicemen and women and veterans, including those in Hastings and Rye?

Answer from Leo Docherty

I am grateful for the work that my hon. Friend does in Hastings and Rye to represent the interests of veterans. It falls on us all to sing from the rooftops about this landmark Act. We will be communicating it through every channel available to us, and we will look at whether we can include it in pre-deployment training.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The communication strategy was described generally without concrete details of channels or timelines.

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Q3 Heather Wheeler Con
Defence Veterans
Context

The MP congratulated the Minister on the Overseas Operations Act and asked about improving internal investigation processes.

Question

I congratulate my hon. Friend on the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Act, which has provided huge relief to both veterans and serving personnel in my South Derbyshire constituency. Will he reassure me that, on top of improving the treatment of service personnel throughout the criminal and civil claims process, the Ministry of Defence is also improving its own internal investigations process?

Answer from Leo Docherty

My hon. Friend is right to raise investigations, which are a critically important component of the service justice system. It is in the interests of serving personnel that we have a rigorous and transparent system. That is why the Secretary of State has tasked Justice Richard Henriques to conduct a thorough review of our approach to investigations. We much look forward to him reporting in the autumn.

Answered
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Q4 James Sunderland
Northern Ireland Veterans
Context

The MP expressed support for veteran support under the Government but asked about statutory guidance and legacy issues.

Question

I believe that support for our veterans continues to improve under this Government, but, as the Minister knows, there are two pressing issues that require immediate resolution: Northern Ireland legacy; and the statutory guidance for the Armed Forces Bill. Will he please assure me that both are forthcoming?

Answer from Leo Docherty

First, let me say how grateful I am for the work that my hon. Friend does in supporting veterans, particularly with the all-party parliamentary group on veterans and with other activities; it is appreciated. The statutory guidance will be published shortly. We are cognisant that the Armed Forces Bill needs to have teeth, and that statutory guidance will be part of our approach. When it comes to Northern Ireland, we have a shared interest in ensuring that this is dealt with. The Government will in due course bring forward a package that delivers for veterans, victims and their families.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific dates or details about the statutory guidance or legacy issues were not provided.

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Q5 Matt Vickers Con Stockton West
Veterans
Context

The MP welcomed the Act protecting service personnel from vexatious claims and asked about support during prosecutions.

Question

I welcome the fact that the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Act will provide vital protections to those who put their lives on the line to defend our country and will introduce a new high bar for criminal prosecutions, but will my hon. Friend assure me that when members of the armed forces or our veterans do face prosecution, they will receive comprehensive support from the Ministry of Defence? Will he also join me on a visit to the Don War Memorial Museum & Veterans Hub to see the incredible work of Julie Cooper in celebrating and supporting our veterans?

Answer from Leo Docherty

I am pleased to confirm that that support is available, and it is only right that it should be. Who could resist an invitation to Teesside? I would be delighted to visit the Don War Memorial Museum with my hon. Friend, and to learn about the magnificent military heritage of which Teesside can be rightly proud.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific details on support during prosecution were provided, only a general confirmation.

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