64th ANNIVERSARY OF THE 51st HIGHLAND DIVISION'S REARGUARD ACTION AT ST VALERY

Early day motion 1219, tabled 18 May 2004 by Charles Kennedy (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 43 members.

That this House recognises the sacrifice made by the 51st Highland Division in June 1940 as they assisted the French Army in making a stand against the German invasion, relieving the pressure on the Channel Ports, action which ultimately led to the capture of the Division at St Valery-en-Caux; further recognises that this gallant action by the 51st Division allowed the Royal Navy to evacuate over 300,000 British and French soldiers from Dunkirk; notes that without this action by the 51st Highland Division Britain and her allies might well not have been able to regroup and reorganise and ultimately return to French soil in 1944; recognises how different Britain and Europe might have been today without this vital contribution; and asks the First Minister that when on behalf of the Scottish people he takes part in commemorative activities to mark the 60th Anniversary of D-Day he pays tribute to 51st Highland Division without whose efforts D-Day might never have happened.

Signatures by party: Labour 14, Liberal Democrat 14, Conservative 5, UUP 4, Scottish National Party 3, DUP 2, Labour/Co-operative 1.