Falklands : Parliamentarians to Visit the Falklands
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 26.07.2006 (Article Archived on 09.08.2006)
The Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme is sponsoring four MPs for a visit to the Falklands
PARLIAMENTARIANS TO VISIT THE FALKLANDS IN AUGUST
By J. Brock (FINN)
Four Conservative Members of the House of Commons will be visiting the Falklands from 21 to 26 August as part of the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme (AFPS). The party includes Mr. John Bradbury, from Defence Analytical Services Agency for the Ministry of Defence, Mr. David Wiltshire, Conservative, Spelthorne, Mr. Tobias Ellwood, Conservative, Opposition whip, Bournemouth East, Mr. Nigel Evans, Conservative, Ribble Valley and Mr. Ed Viazey, Conservative, Wantage.
On 25 August the party will visit Stanley to see Her Honour the Acting Governor Miss Harriet Hall at Government House, attend an FIG briefing at the Chamber of Commerce Function Room, have a buffet lunch at the Brasserie, visit the Museum and inspect a contingent of Sea and Marine Cadets at T/S Endurance. They will also have time for shopping and meeting the press.
In the scheme Members of the House of Commons and the House of Lords volunteer to spend a fixed number of days during one year on detachment with a branch of the Armed Forces (the Royal Navy, the Army, the RAF or the Royal Marines). Under-Graduate members must spend at least 22 days with their chosen Service, while Post-Graduate and Advanced Post-Graduate members must devote 18 days to the scheme.
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Aims of the scheme are to give MPs and Peers, the vast majority of whom have no experience of the services, an insight into Forces life that would not otherwise be available to them. It is then hoped that they will be able to make a more informed and useful contribution to defence debates in the House of Commons.
AFPS has proved to be a very valuable tool in raising Parliamentary awareness and understanding of the Armed Forces, and it has enjoyed many positive comments within the House.
The scheme is extremely well regarded by Ministers, and its support at the highest levels of Government and the Armed Forces is important to its continued success. The scheme also continues to receive the full support of the Chiefs of Staff.
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