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Under-Secretary of State for Defence and Minister for Veterans

Don Touhig MPDon Touhig was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence and Minister for Veterans on Monday, 9 May 2005.

Born in 1947, Mr Touhig was educated at St Francis School, Abersychan, and East Monmouth College. A former journalist, he became editor and later general manager and editor-in-chief of the Pontypool-based Free Press series.

He has been MP for Islwyn since 1995 when he succeeded Neil Kinnock at a by-election. During this time, he has been secretary of the Welsh Group of Labour MPs and was the Government Whip for Wales from 1999 to 2001.

Before entering the Commons, he was a member of the old Gwent County Council for more than 20 years, where he chaired its Finance Committee.

He was Private Parliamentary Secretary to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown from 1997 to 1999, and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales from 2001 until his move to the Ministry of Defence.

Mr Touhig is married with four children and his hobbies include cooking, music and reading.

He has been vice-chair of the All-party Penal Affairs Group, secretary of the All-party Police Group and chair of the All-party Alcohol Misuse Group.

He has also been a member of the Labour Party's backbench committees on Home Affairs, Trade and Industry and Health.

Responsibilities

  • Veterans affairs, including:
    • Legacy veterans' health issues
    • POWs
    • War Graves
    • Medals and memorials
    • Commemorative events
  • Defence estates, including:
    • Defence estates acquisition and disposals
    • Service housing
    • Heritage and historic buildings
  • Service personnel issues, including:
    • Recruitment, basic training, and education
    • Pay and compensation
    • Equal opportunities
    • Defence medical services
    • Cadets
    • Claims casework
    • Service families, and Service Children's Education
    • Armed Forces Bill
  • Other issues, including:
    • Civilian personnel policy and casework
    • MOD Police
    • Health and safety
    • Hydrographic Office and Meteorological Office
    • Non-Departmental Public Bodies
    • Low flying
    • Visits by Peers and MPs / Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme

Last Updated: 26 May 05