David Laws

Liberal Democrats | Yeovil

Laws: Further Suez Medal Delays Simply Unacceptable

David Laws, MP for Yeovil constituency, today attacked the Ministry of Defence following further delays in the processing of Service Medals being awarded to Suez Canal veterans. Despite assurances obtained by Mr. Laws from the Minister for Veterans in a June 2004 adjournment debate, the Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency admits that the Army Medal Office is still assessing and processing applications received in mid-November 2003 – over a year behind in dealing with applications.

David Laws MP said:

‘I cannot believe that these delays are continuing to occur. The Government has totally failed to get a grip on the situation. Veterans have already waited over fifty years for recognition of their service in the Suez Canal Zone and should not be forced to wait any longer.’

‘The current backlogs are due to be cleared by mid-December 2005, but this seems increasingly unlikely given the problems so far. I shall be raising this matter with the Secretary of State for Defence and will ask him to get to the bottom of this fiasco.’