Wounded Service Personnel

Nicholas Soames (Mid-Sussex) (Con): Would the Secretary of State accept that it is a great failing of the Ministry of Defence that more is not known about the great triumph, success and heroism of British soldiers, particularly those who have been seriously wounded? Will he note the point made by my hon. Friend the Member for Newbury (Mr. Benyon) about the need for the wider community to recognise the astonishing achievements and heroism of the wounded? Does not he agree that they should be invited to race meetings, motor racing, boxing fights, and so on, so that people can see them, welcome them and give them appropriate recognition for their astonishing achievements?

Des Browne, Secretary of State for Defence: I absolutely agree with the hon. Gentleman. I am pleased to advise the House, and those who might have missed this, that a significant number of those who have been injured in combat were recently guests of, I think, the British Motor Racing Club-I shall almost certainly get this wrong, and I do not want to-at the recent Formula 1 race. Whoever it was-and I should know exactly who invited them-is to be commended for their generosity and for their reasons for choosing to honour those people.

May I say to the hon. Gentleman and to the House that I regret the change made some time ago-there were reasons for it-whereby soldiers, airmen and sailors who are off duty do not appear in uniform on our streets? If more of our armed services were able to appear in uniform, people would have a better chance of relating to them. If I can increase the numbers who are able to do that, it will go a long way to address the hon. Gentleman’s point.

Hansard Vol 463

No 124

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