RECOGNISING THE DEBT TO SERVICE VETERANS

Early day motion 374, tabled 7 November 2001 by David Heath (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 87 members.

That this House recognises the debt of gratitude we owe, not only to those who gave their lives, but also to all others who have served in the armed forces and their families; and therefore calls on the Government to establish an independent actuarial review of the consequences of reduced pension contributions on the part of those serving between 1949 and 1975, to introduce legislation to require local authorities to disregard war pensions in calculating housing benefit, to amend regulations on war widows' pensions to provide for partners and dependants irrespective of marital status, to commission a full independent inquiry into gulf war syndrome and to appoint a veterans' advocate, independent of government, to work with ex-servicemen's associations in defending and promoting the interests of veterans of all three services.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 42, Labour 33, Scottish National Party 5, Labour/Co-operative 2, UUP 2, Conservative 1, DUP 1, Plaid Cymru 1.