Written questions by Myer.

What steps the Government is taking to ensure that veterans of the Iraq conflict are treated fairly and with respect in any investigations, while maintaining legal accountability.

The Government is committed to supporting its people who act reasonably and in good faith in the course of their duties. Legal advice and welfare support are available to all Serving and former members of the Armed Forces, where they face criminal or civil allegations that relate to their Service. Following the publication of the final Iraq Fatality Investigation Report in November 2025, there are no outstanding investigations into the actions of veterans during the Iraq Conflict.

What steps his Department is taking to increase procurement from UK businesses.

Our new Defence Industrial Strategy will make sure national security and a high-growth economy are aligned to deliver the change we promised: cracking down on waste, building resilient supply chains and boosting Britain's defence industry. By strengthening our relationship with industry, innovators and investors we will make it easier and more attractive to do business in Defence than ever before.

What steps he is taking to support jobs in the defence sector.

Defence is not just a cornerstone of national security but also a powerful engine for growth. Defence spending already supports 239,000 UK jobs in industry, including around 8,000 apprenticeships, building the capabilities of the future. The Strategic Defence Review and the Defence Industrial Strategy will secure skilled, rewarding, exciting careers in Defence, that support families and communities across our nation.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of mental health provision for (a) serving members of the armed forces and (b) veterans (i) during the transition to civilian life and (ii) generally.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is committed to the health and wellbeing of our Armed Forces personnel. All Service personnel have access to mental health support throughout their career, including medical and non-medical services. For those personnel requiring medical intervention the Defence Medical Services (DMS) responsive, flexible, accessible and comprehensive treatment service. The DMS is reshaping mental health provision to reduce waiting lists, improve timelines for patient recovery and refocus on earlier intervention. There will be a single point of access for specialist mental health networks allowing quicker access to initial assessment and earlier allocation to the right treatment pathway. DMS is increasing access to resources and online therapy to improve the care offered by GPs. Several non-medical interventions across Defence complement medical services, including key MOD initiatives such as the Defence Senior Leaders Mental Fitness and Resilience course (SLMFR), HeadFIT and the Annual Mental Fitness Brief (AMFB). Additionally, each of the single Services provide through career mental health and stress management training. Where personnel leaving the Armed Forces have an enduring need for mental healthcare, the DMS works in partnership with the NHS to ensure continuation of care. Personnel who have been assessed and diagnosed with a mental health need are able to access Departments of Community Mental Health for up to six months after discharge to provide continuity of care during the transition period until appropriate handover to other services can be completed as required. The Veterans Welfare Service and Defence Transition Service deliver additional support to Service leavers and their families who are most likely to face challenges as they leave the Armed Forces, including facilitating access to NHS services. Wherever they live in UK, veterans can access bespoke services, including Op COURAGE in England. Op COURAGE, the Veterans Mental Health, and Wellbeing Service, provides an integrated mental health care pathway for veterans. Op COURAGE has received over 35,000 referrals. In addition to these services, NHS Integrated Care Boards commission NHS talking therapies, which have received over 13,400 referrals over the same time period.