Oral Answers to Questions — Defence – in the House of Commons at 2:30 pm on 23 January 2006.
How many veteran's badges have been issued since the badge was introduced.
Her Majesty's armed forces veteran's badge scheme was launched in May 2004 and, to date, some 182,000 ex-service personnel have applied for and received the badge.
I am sure that the Minister is aware of the badge's importance as a symbol of the gratitude of the state for the sacrifice of the individual in the service of the nation. However, there is uncertainty among veterans in my constituency and their families about eligibility. Will he confirm precisely who is eligible for the badge?
The veteran's badge is available to all those who served in the British armed forces in the first and second world wars, between the wars and up until 1954. That includes the Home Guard, those who served in Polish forces under UK command and the widows and widowers who are in receipt of a war pension. Merchant navy seamen who took part in military operations are also included and they will shortly be able to apply for their own version of the badge.
Veterans want to be able to wear the badge, but they also want to wear campaign medals to which they are entitled. What is the update position on the medal for the Malayan emergency that has been awarded by the Malaysian Government?
The Department's efforts to mark the end of various campaigns have been quite successful and we have made great efforts to get medals out. The interest last year in the 60th commemoration of the end of the last war increased the demand and application for historic medals. That has resulted in 9,370 world war two cases still awaiting assessment. I have proposals for improving the service and I hope to make an announcement shortly.
Many of those who served in my local regiment, the King's Own Scottish Borderers, qualify for the veteran's badge. What plans or proposals does my hon. Friend have to further extend the qualifying date?
My hon. Friend may be aware that on
The Minister is aware—he mentioned it in a previous answer—of the role that Polish forces, one of whom was my own grandfather, played in the second world war. Will he please give me an assurance that the Polish forces will be recognised properly? There are still some Polish veterans living in this country who feel that they are neglected, sadly.
I am sorry if there is a feeling of neglect. There is certainly no lack of respect and appreciation for the huge contribution made by Polish forces to our efforts in the last war. Indeed, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State was the first Minister to attend a service at the Polish memorial. We will continue to recognise the huge contribution. If there is anything we could or should do to improve that recognition, I shall be interested if the hon. Gentleman has any proposals to put before me.
In my constituency there is a group of veterans who, until recently, felt that they had been forgotten—those are veterans of the Arctic convoy. Two years ago I marched on Downing street with those brave men to plead their cause. I congratulate the Secretary of State on achieving what no other Government had achieved since the end of the second world war—getting recognition for those very brave men in the horrendous conditions in which they found themselves. Can my hon. Friend give me a progress report on the Arctic Star?
On behalf of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, I take on board my hon. Friend's congratulations and thanks to him for the efforts that he has put in—a tremendous effort, indeed. We have had discussion, which he led, with the various organisations and we now have broad agreement on a design concept. That is going into the final design stage, and we hope to progress a contract letting shortly and issue the emblems after that. I was delighted to see early-day motion 1429 congratulating my right hon. Friend on his work on the matter—an amazing feat of political prowess, as it united in brotherhood my hon. Friend Jeremy Corbyn and Mr. Howarth in support. In terms of consensus, it is clear that my right hon. Friend reaches parts that the Leader of the Opposition wishes he could reach.