Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has thanked the armed forces, including personnel from RAF Valley, for their service on the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
The accolade came after Ynys Môn MP Virginia Crosbie asked the cabinet minister to show his appreciation for the parades and the flypast with RAF Valley Hawk jets that took place over the weekend to celebrate Her Majesty’s 70 years on the throne.
“Will my right honourable friend join me in thanking all the members of the armed forces who worked so hard to make the Queen’s platinum jubilee such a success?” Virginia asked.
“In particular, will he thank those from RAF Valley for the spectacular fly-past over Buckingham Palace?”
In reply Ben Wallace said: “I think the whole House would like to give our thanks to the armed forces for the work they did over that weekend and for all the hours of rehearsal they do, sometimes in the middle of the night, which none of us ever see, to make things very special.
“From Trooping the Colour on Thursday all the way through to the pageant, our armed forces made us proud, as did a number of the armed forces from the Commonwealth, which were also in attendance and on parade that day.
“Our armed forces are absolutely part of the fabric of our society and part of the greatness of the United Kingdom.
“I am delighted not only that they were there on parade, but that it was a privilege for us to see the royal family so held in high regard by those men and women of the armed forces.
Speaking afterwards, Virginia added: “The secretary of state was quite right to say that our armed forces are part of the greatness of this United Kingdom and I was very proud to see the Hawk jets fly over Buckingham Palace in honour of Her Majesty.
“I also know that the personnel based at RAF Valley are very proud of their involvement in what was a magnificent long weekend.”
