Local MP Caroline Dinenage has celebrated Gosport Borough Council's early adoption of the Armed Forces Community Covenant and encouraged other local authorities to follow suit, in Defence questions in the House of Commons today.
The Covenant is a voluntary statement of mutual support between the civilian community and any serving and former members of the Armed Forces and their families working and residing in Gosport. In a fitting tribute, the Council formally established the Covenant on Remembrance Sunday, last year.
Reiterating her support for the Council's decision, Caroline said:
"Would my honourable friend join me in congratulating Gosport Borough Council who adopted their version of the military covenant at the tail end of last year, and would he update the House on the progress that has been made in the take up of community covenants?"
The Minister for Defence Personnel, Mark Francois MP, welcomed Caroline's support and replied:
"I'm really encouraged by the number of local authorities at all tiers of local government that have been signing community covenants to demonstrate their support for the armed forces community and I'm very pleased to hear that that spirit is alive and well in Gosport."
Speaking outside the Chamber, Caroline added:
"Given the Gosport peninsula's proud military heritage, it's only right that our area is leading the way in adopting its own community covenant. This shows once again that Gosport Borough Council is ahead of the curve in recognising the sacrifice of our Service personnel and the welfare of forces families."
