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Greg Mulholland-Working Hard For Leeds North WestMulholland welcomes Leeds’ Ark Royal Commemoration
February 1, 2011 9:00 AM
Greg Mulholland, Member of Parliament for Leeds North West, has tabled an Early Day Motion as well as questioning the Rt Hon Liam Fox MP, during Defence Questions yesterday, regarding planned commemorations of the Ark Royal in Leeds. Mulholland asked whether the minister would join him in welcoming the decision to hold a Freedom of the City parade for the crew of HMS Ark Royal in Leeds on February the 12th and whether he would support a permanent commemoration in the city.
Following the sinking of its predecessor, the people of Leeds raised over £9,000,000 to pay towards the rebuilding of another Ark Royal, which launched in 1950. The special relationship with Leeds was marked in 1973 when the crew were granted Freedom of the City. In December 2010, the current Ark Royal docked for the last time in Portsmouth.
Around 160 sailors, with bayonets fixed and colours displayed, will depart from Leeds City Museum at, marching down the Headrow, around the Victoria Quarter before arriving at the Town Hall at around 11.30am, where they will attend a reception with the Lord Mayor, on Saturday February 12th.
Today, Greg tabled an Early Day Motion, to acknowledge the long history the Ark Royal and Leeds share, and commended the decision to hold a final parade in Leeds.
Greg commented:
"The links between Leeds and the HMS Ark Royal are extremely unique, it is fantastic news that the crew will be given freedom of the city and that this will be marked with a parade through the streets of the city
"I anticipate that this will be a fantastic day and one to remember for all the crew of the ship, as the Ark Royal continues her final tour of the United Kingdom."
"I hope there will be further commemorations in the city to ensure the legacy of the HMS Ark Royal Lives on, and all of her crew who have served on board, are commended for their service
Ends
The wording of the motion:
Commemoration of the HMS Ark Royal's affiliation with Leeds
That this House:
Welcomes the decision to commemorate HMS Ark Royal's unique and long standing affiliation with Leeds by granting Freedom of the City to her crew on 12th February 2011, marking the day with a parade through the streets of the city that raised over £9,000,000 in 1941 towards the cost of building another Ark Royal following the sinking of its predecessor , believes that these strong historical links make this tribute especially fitting and further hopes that any future Ark Royal, will once again have a similar affiliation with the city of Leeds.
Greg Mulhollands question:
Greg Mulholland (Leeds North West) (LD): The city of Leeds has very close connections with HMS Ark Royal, following the remarkable fundraising campaign by local people and the adoption of the ship in 1941. On 12 February, the crew of HMS Ark Royal will be given the freedom of the city of Leeds and will take part in a parade. Will the Secretary of State join me in saying what a wonderful event that will be? Does he agree that there should be a permanent commemoration of this link?
Dr Fox: This is a commendable link. I am happy to join my hon. Friend in congratulating the city of Leeds. Whenever there is an example of civic life recognising the sacrifices of our armed forces, both are enriched.