48,000 TROOPS AWAY THIS CHRISTMAS - KEETCH

9.00.00am GMT Wed 24th Dec 2003

Paul Keetch MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Defence Secretary, today released new statistics showing that more troops will be away from home and on operational duty this Christmas than any other year since Labour came to power.

In 1998 20 % of the armed forces spent the holiday period overseas. That number will climb to 25% or 47,946 this year. 20,000 members of the Army will be on front line duties on Christmas Day.

Commenting Mr Keetch said:

"Our thoughts will be with the thousands of our servicemen and women who are away from their families this Christmas.

"Despite the Government's best efforts to bring a little Christmas cheer by providing enhanced care packages, these figures highlight the impact that overstretch is having on the family lives of our troops.

"The Government must urgently tackle the ongoing problem overstretch. If our men and women are away at Christmas they should be able to enjoy more than the current ten months between tours of duty."