We have the bravest and the best servicemen and women in the world. We send them to fight for our country; some will not return, and others will return damaged by war, and they and their families fail to get the support that they desperately need, particularly medical and mental health support, or housing support. The Royal British Legion, which compiled this petition, is a highly respected British institution and no branch more so than the Canvey Island branch. Veterans are particularly concerned about those sent to serve their country in the most difficult places, such as Iraq and Afghanistan.

This is an important petition and I warmly congratulate and thank everyone who supported it. It calls on the Government to ensure that our troops and bereaved families are given more support at all levels.

The Petition of the Canvey Island Royal British Legion and Castle Point and others,

Declares that our Service men and women, past and present, are the bravest and best in the world and they deserve a better deal from the Government.

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons implores the Government for the introduction of a decent Armed Services compensation scheme, decent health, welfare and support for ex-service men and women and a scheme to give greater support to the bereaved families of those service men and women who do not return.

And the Petitioners remain, etc.

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