Member

I will speak to amendment 1, which my party supports, in the name of the hon. and learned Member for North Antrim (Jim Allister)—he would have been here to speak to it, but he is unwell. He makes an important point: if the provision is to extend to local authorities across England, Scotland and Wales, there is no reason why local authorities in Northern Ireland should be excluded from it, especially when many of the soldiers who would benefit from it live in Northern Ireland. Many of them served part time or full time in the Royal Irish Regiment and Ulster Defence Regiment, and they are living with the consequences of their service, yet local authorities in Northern Ireland will be excluded from the provision.