SECTION 75 AND THE MILITARY COVENANT IN NORTHERN IRELAND

That this House notes the Report published by the Prime Minister's Special Representative on Veterans Transition Lord Ashcroft, in which he made two key recommendations in relation to the provision of support services to armed forces veterans in Northern Ireland, namely that the Government should amend section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act to enable service leavers and veterans to receive the recognition and provision they deserve and appoint a security-vetted Armed Forces Champion in Northern Ireland to enable service leavers and veterans to claim entitlements without fear for their personal security; believes that section 75 can in certain circumstances be an impediment to full implementation of the Military Covenant in Northern Ireland; and calls on the Prime Minister to act upon these key recommendations and to implement them without delay.