Returning Troops Praised by MP

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 11th Oct 2006

Paratroopers in action

Colchester MP Bob Russell will today in the House of Commons hope to use a Question to the Prime Minister to praise troops from 16 Air Assault Brigade who this week are returning to Colchester Garrison after a dangerous deployment in Afghanistan.

Mr Russell has drawn 10th spot for Questions to the Prime Minister but there is no guarantee that he will be called before the 30-minute time slot finishes.

He hopes to use the opportunity to praise members of 16 Air Assault Brigade for their courage while serving in Helmand Province, to wish a speedy recovery for those who have been injured, and to convey condolences to the families of the six who were killed on active service for their country.

Mr Russell, who is a member of the Liberal Democrat Defence team, also intends to point out that defeating terrorism is in the interest of all democratic countries around the world - and will criticise the majority of European Union and NATO countries for failing to deploy troops in southern Afghanistan.