Defence Secretary, Des Browne, has written to Mike Penning thanking him for inspiring and setting up House of Commons "Welcome Home" receptions for Formations returning from operations overseas.

Hemel MP Mike Penning, who is a Vice Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Army, has initiated and organised two House of Commons receptions for military Formations returning from operations in Afghanistan. The receptions have been a huge success and welcomed by Members of Parliament from all parties.

Secretary of State for Defence, Des Browne, has written to Mike thanking him for the work he has put in to organise these receptions and endorsing plans to make them a regular feature in the Westminster calendar. The Speaker of the House of Commons, Mike Martin, has offered to host the events in future.

Mike said:

“Such receptions have never been organised before and I am pleased that such a large number of men and women of all ranks – from the most junior through to the Brigade Commander – have attended to meet MPs and the Secretary of State for Defence.

“Parliament sends these young people to risk their lives on our behalf and it is only right that we should express our thanks to them.”

The most recent reception was held for 52 Brigade who have just returned to the UK from Afghanistan. They were responsible for training the Afghan National Police and the Afghan National Army who together with the Brigade successfully planned and led the biggest NATO operation since 2001 to remove the Taliban from Musa Qaleh.

Last year Mike hosted the first ever House of Commons reception to thank servicemen and women of 12 Mech Brigade on their return to UK from Afghanistan.

Click here to download letter [1].