Holmes: Tragic death of local Soldier proves Duty of Care is not being met

Responding to the death in Afghanistan of 18 year old Chesterfield soldier Ben Ford, local MP Paul Holmes said:

"This tragic death particularly strikes a chord with me as Ben had been in the same year group at the same school (Newbold Community School) as my son.

I sympathise enormously with Ben's parents, who have said that 'they are immensely proud of their son who lost his life doing something that he was proud to be part of and that he loved.''

''If our young men and women are to risk their lives in our armed forces we, as a nation, should support them properly.

Constituents have, over the last 6 years, told me how they have had at times to buy suitable equipment of their own- even such simple things as Desert Boots for troops going to Iraq - due to shortfalls in supply.

The Army's patrol Land Rovers are known to be too thinly protected to withstand Rocket Propelled Grenades or to have a chance against roadside bombs. Yet adequate vehicles have still not been provided by the Government.

Most recently I met with a constituent who has been invalided out of the army as a result of wounds received in Iraq but who has received inadequate compensation.

As a country we have a duty of care to our Armed Forces - who risk life and limb for us - but as a country we are not meeting that duty of care.''