MORAY MP TABLES MOTION ON LEGION'S COVENANT CAMPAIGN
Posted on Friday, October 5 2007
Moray Scottish National Party MP Angus Robertson is to table a motion in the House of Commons calling on the government to provide substantially more support to service personnel and their families.Mr Robertson, who is the SNP's Defence Spokesman, as well as representing a constituency with a large contingent of service personnel at 2 RAF bases, has raised issues concerning troop welfare and employment issues on a regular bases and his current motion gives support to the Royal British Legion's Covenant Campaign.In addition the SNP MP has written to the Secretary of State for Defence calling on him to take action in support of the aims of the Covenant Campaign and give greater support to injured personnel and their families and to provide better support for bereaved service families.Given the current significant commitments that the armed forces have been required to undertake the issue is all the more in focus. Full details of the 'Honour the Covenant' campaign can be found at: www.britishlegion.org.ukCommenting Angus Robertson said:" As well as currently serving personnel these issues also affect veterans and future intakes into the armed forces. The support called for by the Royal British Legion is a basic right of people who are putting their lives on the line in the service of their country." When we ask people to make such sacrifices they have every right to expect that should they be killed or injured they and their families will be properly supported with proper medical care, counselling and financial support." We have seen numerous cases of soldiers who have suffered the loss of limbs, eyesight, serious brain injuries, mental health problems or serious muliple injuries and have been offered compensation that would not even pay for the additional living costs associated with their conditions. This is entirely unacceptable. When you consider that the compensation offered in some cases is less than the cost of firing a single missile it shows how disgraceful the situation is." I commend the Royal British Legion for their efforts in highlighting this issue and I hope that by tabling this motion in parliament the government will sit up and take notice of these important issues."Notes for Editors:Mr Robertson's motion states:British Legion CovenantThis House supports the aims of The Royal British Legion's 'Honour The Covenant' Campaign, recognises the commitment and sacrifices made byarmed forces personnel and their families, and calls upon the government to provide a just compensation scheme that recognises thatcommitment and sacrifice, make a greater effort to support the physical and mental health of service people and their families and provide better support for bereaved service families.Ends.
SNP WELCOME EXTRA FUNDING FOR CORONER
Posted on Friday, October 5 2007
Scottish National Party MP Angus Robertson has welcomed the announcement of additional funding for the Wiltshire Coroner's office that deals with inquests for service personnel repatriated through RAF Lyneham. The move is intended to deal with the continuing problem of inquest delays and backlogs.Commenting Mr Robertson said:" In Moray we have seen the tragic loss of many service personnel and the delays in coroner procedures have unnecessarily added to the suffering endured by the families and friends of those lost in action." Clearly the thorough investigation of any service death is essential, however it is also important that investigations are carried out timeously and the additional funding announced by the government is long overdue to aid this process." Unfortunately for many service families this assistance has come too late and in Moray in particular families are also waiting for the long overdue Board of Inquiry report into the Nimrod crash in Afghanistan over a year ago." I will continue to press the government on these issues and I hope that the Minister will urgently give this his attention."Ends.
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