To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department has to mark the 40^th anniversary of the deployment of troops to Northern Ireland in 1969; and what representations he has received on the matter. (133149)

The Ministry of Defence does not intend to formally mark the 40^th anniversary of the deployment of troops, although we are currently looking at appropriate ways of marking the end of Operation Banner which concludes on 31 July 2007. I hope to be in a position to announce the Department’s plans to the House soon. The Department has received four representations from hon. Members on this topic and a number of inquiries from members of the public.