KEETCH SEES TROOPS IN HELMAND

10.39.13am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 11th May 2009

Hereford's MP, Paul Keetch, led a small delegation of MPs to visit troops in Helmand, Southern Afghanistan, recently as part of a Foreign Affairs Committee visit to Pakistan and Afghanistan. The Committee met senior political and military leaders in both countries before splitting with three MPs flying to the war zone in Helmand.

"I was very pleased to be asked to lead the delegation of three MP's - one from each party - to be able to see exactly what is happening in Afghanistan," said Mr Keetch. "As ever, I was very proud of the professionalism and dedication of British Forces in Afghanistan. Even working in such an inhospitable and cruel theatre of war, they maintain a high standard of morale whilst carrying out their duty. Whilst we were in Lashkar Gah, 19 Brigade sustained casualties and I was able to see at first hand the treatment our wounded soldiers are given. I also saw the work of British and other NATO forces working with the Afghan Army to eradicate the poppy crops."

During his visit to Helmand, Paul Keetch met the Afghan Governor Mangal, and the Commanding Officer of 19 Brigade, Tim Radford, one of his constituents.

"It is not unusual for me to bump into military constituents when I visit troops abroad," said Mr Keetch, "but it is rare that they are the Commanding Officer. I knew Tim was a constituent before I went there, but the other MPs were a little surprised when he began his briefing to us by complaining about the Council Tax he pays in Herefordshire whilst he is in Afghanistan!"

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