75th ANNIVERSARY OF EX-SERVICE FELLOWSHIP CENTRES

Early day motion 664, tabled 17 January 2007 by Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 51 members.

That this House congratulates the Ex-Service Fellowship Centres (EFC) on the occasion of the charitable organisation's 75th anniversary, January 2007; records with admiration that for three-quarters of a century the EFC has provided wide ranging support for homeless former members of HM Armed Forces; pays tribute to staff, past and present, for their dedicated service, and to benefactors; is alarmed that, while the number of Service people is declining, social trends are producing an increasing number of former Service personnel who seek help and turn to the EFC, whose military ethos provides a structured support including immediate housing; notes that last year 1,000 veterans sought assistance; further notes that in total 19,000 nights of accommodation were provided for homeless veterans; and wishes the Ex-Service Fellowship Centres continued success in their aim of helping those former members of HM Armed Forces who come to them destitute and homeless to a home and a life that enables them to regain their place as contributory members of society.

Signatures by party: Labour 19, Liberal Democrat 18, Conservative 10, DUP 4.