13. To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to assist the families of service personnel killed on active service to be represented at inquests. (201539)

We place the highest priority on supporting the families of those who have given their lives in the service of their country. We try to help bereaved families through the difficult experience of a coroner's inquest. Due to the nature of inquest proceedings, assistance under the legal aid scheme, overseen by the Ministry of Justice, is available only in exceptional circumstances.

17. To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Justice on reducing the number of pending military inquests. (201543)

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Falkirk (Mr. Joyce).