Speaking in the House of Commons following the publication of the Chilcot Inquiry, Strangford MP Jim Shannon MP took the opportunity to ask the Prime Minister about what lessons have been learnt since the Iraq war with regard to the government’s treatment of veterans.
He said: “Prime Minister, thank you for your statement. You referred, in particular, to the lessons that need to be learned from the Chilcot report. You referred to assistance for veterans. We know that 179 brave service personnel gave their lives in the Iraq war, but the family support package at that time meant that only two welfare officers were left at the headquarters.
“I know that that has changed and that steps have been taken to ensure that veterans are not forgotten. The Government send these brave people to war and so should be more than willing to step up to the plate and deliver for them. Prime Minister, what will be done as a result of the Chilcot inquiry to address the family support criteria and the very high suicide rates among veterans?”
Prime Minister David Cameron replied giving reassurances as well as indicating the importance of mental health. He said: “The hon. Gentleman asks an important question. The report states that huge improvements have since been undertaken to improve family support and liaison, but I suspect that we need to do even more in the area of mental health. That is one of the reasons why the Government have given that area such a boost.”
Whilst improvements have been made, Jim Shannon MP pledged to ensure that even more is done if possible to protect the service personnel who serve and are given the treatment they deserve when they return.
