Armed Forces: Northern Ireland

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

Mr. Ingram
The Ministry of Defence does not intend to formally mark the 40th 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.