MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands Visit for Parliamentary Defence Specialists.

The next group of five British Members of Parliament to make a familiarisation visit to the Falkland Islands all list defence as one of their main interests. Three are directly involved in defence issues. Another is an Opposition Conservative “Shadow” Foreign Minister.

The MPs, accompanied by Falklands Government London Representative, Sukey Cameron, will be there from November 3rd to 8th, visiting Stanley and other parts of the Islands, including Mount Pleasant Military Base. Their programme includes talks with the eight elected Councillors, and briefings from the Governor, the Chief Executive and Heads of Government Departments as well as military commanders.

The MP now most actively engaged in defence is Sylvia Heal, aged 58, Labour MP for Halesowen and Rowley Regis, aged 58. She has been parliamentary private secretary to the Defence Secretary, Geoff Hoon (who has previously visited the Falklands and Argentina) and to the former Defence Secretary Lord Robertson, now Secretary General of NATO. As a health worker by profession, Mrs Heal lists one of her main interests as health education. She is Welsh-born, a member of the London Welsh Association, and likes listening to male-voice choirs. She is married with two children and was first elected in 1990.

David Watts, 49, has been Labour MP for Saint Helens since 1997, when he was appointed parliamentary private secretary to Armed Forces Minister, James Spellar. He is also interested in football and rugby. He was previously a research assistant, and is married with two sons. Stephen Hepburn, aged 41, Labour MP for Jarrow since 1997, is a member of the Parliamentary Defence Select Committee. His interests include soccer and music.

Ian Bruce, 53, Conservative MP for South Dorset since 1983, has one of the smallest majorities in Parliament, only 77. A former engineer, he lists defence, tourism and information technology among his interests. He is married with four children.

Cheryl Gillan, 48, MP for Chesham and Amersham since 1992, is a Conservative Opposition Foreign Affairs spokeswoman in the House of Commons, and a former Education Minister. Mrs Gillan was educated at Cheltenham Ladies College and the College of Law, was formerly a management consultant. She is a member of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association British Executive Committee. Her interests include defence and international affairs.

None of the five MPs has previously listed the Falkland Islands as among countries in which they are interested