ROYAL COMMONWEALTH EX-SERVICES LEAGUE

Early day motion 475, tabled 30 June 2005 by Crispin Blunt (Conservative). Signed by 42 members.

That this House recognises the outstanding contribution made by those servicemen from Commonwealth countries who fought for and alongside the UK in the Second World War; acknowledges that in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Burma, and in West and East Africa there are still many very elderly ex-servicemen and widows in dire need of medical aid, housing, adequate food and other welfare assistance and it is the Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League that is helping such Commonwealth veterans who fought for freedom for the UK; further recognises that many were taken prisoner by the Japanese and did not receive an ex-gratia payment from the country they served, unlike their British comrades in arms; acknowledges that in every Commonwealth country there is an ex-service organisation affiliated to the Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League which gives grants to those member organisations of the poorer countries who cannot meet all genuine requests for welfare of one form or another; and believes that at the 60th anniversary celebrations of the end of the Second World War this summer the Government should make a grant to the Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League to assist it in carrying out its work caring for the veterans of the Commonwealth.

Signatures by party: Labour 22, Conservative 8, Liberal Democrat 7, DUP 4, Scottish National Party 1.