It is really heartening, actually, to be an Assembly Member and to stand here this evening in the National Assembly for Wales in solidarity with Members across all the political divides here in the Chamber, as we all pay our honoured respects to those who have gone before us and those who continue to work on behalf of us and our country, to ensure that we have the freedoms that we do.

And as we remember now the anniversary of Armistice Day, for me, I was absolutely delighted—and it was such an honour and a privilege—to be invited, as the Assembly Member for Aberconwy, to the Armed Forces Day in Llandudno, along with my colleague Darren Millar AM. And I think Darren would confer with me that it was just an incredible event in which over 1,000 serving personnel and veterans took part. It was a day of celebration of the wonderful work undertaken by our services across the UK, and our Royal British Legion, and overseas. And it was such an honour to meet so many inspirational people who have given their lives to serve and protect their country without fear whatsoever. And we do remember those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice to preserve the freedoms and values that we so cherish and that allow me, here today, to have freedom of speech.

We must never forget the terrible events, though, of 100 years ago and in many wars following. So, I do join colleagues in welcoming the Royal British Legion's #ThankYou100 campaign. Our armed forces, past and present, have contributed so much to our nation and they deserve our utmost gratitude.

It is welcome then that the Welsh Government did publish guidance in 2017 on how local authorities can uphold the armed forces covenant. The covenant is a hugely important means of recognising the sacrifices made by our armed forces personnel and their families, and seeks to help them, hopefully, to reintegrate back into civilian life. A fundamental obligation of this is to ensure that health services understand and respond to the particular health considerations of veterans, those who are injured in war, and those who now require much needed treatment. They need the distinct treatment pathways that clinicians are, technically, required to follow. Yet, the support and treatment that these individuals receive can be less than consistent across Wales. In a freedom of information request by the Welsh Conservatives, the Betsi Cadwaladr university health board, which covers my own constituency, stated that it was adhering to guidance published in 2008 by the Welsh Government and not currently the 2017 guidance. So, with the Cabinet Secretary being here present, I would ask him to look at that. This issue is exacerbated as the Betsi board has delivered no formal training to staff regarding its own obligations, whilst also not requiring veterans to identify themselves when receiving treatment. How wonderful it would be if there was some direction of travel where they could continue to receive support. And I see the Cabinet Secretary shaking his head. Shame on you. 

Veterans are being let down by a lack of wider recognition of these principles. It is increasingly difficult to measure how the armed forces covenant is delivered as the Welsh Government does not collect sufficient data to properly scrutinise this.

It is highly disappointing that the Welsh Government rejected the idea of creating an armed forces commissioner for Wales earlier this year on cost grounds. And I think this is the seventh time I've spoken since I was elected as an AM, where I know that Darren Millar and the Welsh Conservatives before I came here have wanted a commissioner. I cannot see why it is being rejected on cost grounds. What cost is one life? The welfare and well-being of our armed forces personnel should most certainly come before money considerations. The service they have given, and continue to give, to their country deserves recognition. Establishing a commissioner would help to ensure that the principles of the covenant are firmly established in Wales, focusing efforts on providing support for personnel and for veterans. It would particularly help to formulate a more coherent national plan to provide more access to tailored health services that meet the needs of these individuals. We need to redress the disadvantages faced by our serving military personnel and veterans; they deserve better. I urge every Member of this Chamber to support this motion and to ensure that our armed forces receive the best help possible. They need our support, they need our help, and it is our duty to provide that.