Last week, Victoria asked Members of Parliament to join her in congratulating the recent flypast of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at Buckingham Palace to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
Minister of State for Defence Procurement, Phillip Dunne MP, joined Victoria in congratulating the RAF pilots past and present.
“Typhoon jets fly from RAF Coningsby in my constituency, as does the Battle of Britain memorial flight. Will the Minister join me in congratulating the RAF on a magnificent flypast last Friday of Spitfires, Hurricanes and a Typhoon to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain?”
“I also welcome my hon. Friend to her place and she is right to highlight the importance of the magnificent flypast last Friday to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. I am very happy to join her in congratulating today’s RAF pilots on this fitting tribute to their predecessors in years gone by. These events highlight the bravery and professionalism of the men and women who have served and continue to serve our country so well. She might like to know that my hon. Friend the Minister for the Armed Forces will be visiting RAF Coningsby to congratulate them in person later this week.”
Outside the chamber Victoria said:
“I am very pleased that the work undertaken at RAF Coningsby is recognised by Ministers and members of Parliament. The recent visits to RAF Coningsby by the Prime Minister and Penny Mordaunt MP, Minister of State for the Armed Forces, underline the importance the Government places on the work done by constituents at RAF Coningsby.
I was delighted to see the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at the Forties Festival in Woodhall Spa last weekend. The crowds of visitors at the festival were delighted to watch the pilots.
I welcome the Chancellor’s commitment in the recent Budget to spend 2% of our GDP on Defence, and I will be watching with interest the decisions taken in the upcoming Comprehensive Spending Review. RAF Coningsby plays a vital role in our country’s security, and I will continue to support its work.”