Sir Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of whether the Independent Impact Panel has sufficient capacity to determine all outstanding claims, before the Financial Recognition Scheme closes, made by veterans pressured into leaving the armed forces on account of their sexuality.  [16834]

[Due for Answer on 13 July]

ANSWER

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Veterans and People (Calvin Bailey): Defence is committed to ensuring all applications are completed equitably and in the timeliest manner possible. Steps have been taken to increase the speed of processing Impact Payment applications, including recruiting both an additional Independent Panel Chair and Members, thereby enabling further Panel sittings each week. Application numbers and processing speeds are continually monitored to ensure any additional measures are taken to enable the conclusion of all applications by, or soon after, the time the Scheme closes for applications.