Willetts to make flying visit to the Falklands
Willetts 02/09/11 (AN) David Willetts who is the MP for Havant speaks to the News. Pictures: Ian Hargreaves (113127-2)
HAVANT MP David Willetts is to become the first minister to visit the Falklands Islands since renewed tensions arose between Britain and Argentina.
Mr Willetts will make a stop off at the islands on the way to visit researchers in Antarctica in his role as science minister.
His trip to the world’s most inhospitable continent coincides with the 100th anniversary of Robert Scott’s fateful Antarctic expedition – and the 30th anniversary of the Falklands invasion.
‘I will be staying with the Commanding Officer of the British troops based on the Falklands and I’m sure we will be discussing a whole range of things,’ Mr Willetts said.
‘Coming from a naval constituency I meet a lot of veterans who served in the Falklands and I will be taking their very best wishes with me.’
The visit to the Falklands will include dinner with Nigel Haywood, the governor.
The Tory MP may also meet Prince William who is posted there as a search and rescue helicopter pilot.
Mr Willetts is travelling with Dr Mike Pinnock to the British Antarctic Survey base at Rothera to experience first-hand the UK’s world-leading Antarctic research.
The UK spends £40m a year on research and Mr Willetts will meet scientists at the base and brave freezing temperatures out in the field.
He said: ‘Our presence in the Antarctic is of great significance.
‘The British Antarctic Survey is a scientific mission where we have, during the summer months, 200 British scientists and in the winter it falls to below 100.
‘They carry out world-leading research into climate change.
‘Changes in the ice to help us understand what’s happening to the earth’s climate.
‘They are the people who found the hole in the ozone layer in the 1980s.
‘Of course this is the 100th anniversary of Scott’s mission to the Antarctic and the public were fascinated by David Attenborough’s Frozen Planet which was filmed heavily in the region.
‘So it’s a great time to be going out there.’
Mr Willetts flew out of RAF Brize Norton on Wednesday and is due back in the UK early next week.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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Comments
There are 13 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
pqarky48
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 10:01 PMWell said budgie this poor excuse of an elected official has done sod all for havant.I'd gladly pay for a one way ticket for this tory and as for you simon farlington are you for real?.Sounds like youv'e just come out of a young conservative conference or are starring in a famous five play at the local theatre.Please go mr willits mp and don;t come back well not too havant atleast
wizard of oz
Sunday, February 19, 2012 at 01:46 PMJolly to the falklands! Have you ever been there? unless you have an unhealthy interest in sheep or penguins stay away for god sake stay away.
griffon
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 06:25 PMHm Minister for Science eh. They could at least have appointed a guy with a science degree. This bloke read Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Oxford which makes just right for Havant. But then perhaps he's Dave's secret weapon to fighten off the argies
Budgie One
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 02:24 PMnever thought i would agree with grammerschoolboy... he is no use to Havant, no jobs, limited green space left as they have permitted building on it, not in tory heartland StFaiths though! and to the simon.farlington... he would get our respect when he earns it! something Havant is long overdue a proper MP fighting for our area, not claiming expenses to change his lightbulbs at home!!!!!! So make his ticket one way.. let the penguins have him coz he is no use here!
glacial
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 09:33 AMBritain does some of its best and most important science in Antarctica and Willetts holds the purse strings. There are some big decisions to be made about funding such research and the relatively small cost of a flight there is worth it so he can make those decisions based on first-hand knowledge of what is needed to keep the UK at the leading edge of Antarctic science.
simon.farlington
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 12:36 AMThese comments are a DISGRACE. Please show some respect. He is a MP and has the title 'The Right Honourable', he is not a Right Honourable for no reason. So lets show respect for our ruling class.
snapdog
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 09:28 PMA phone call is cheaper...
liverpoolboy
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 06:48 PMAnother Jolly,for an mp + expenses
grammarschoolboy
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 06:32 PMFor all the help and assistance this Thatcherite has given to Havant I hope and pray someone ties him up and keeps him there for good.
griffon
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 05:41 PMI heard that Cameron would like send him still further but couldn't find anywhere. Still it could be a one-way ticket?
scutt67
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 01:42 PMI love it when I see our elected comrades flying out to various hotspots around the world at our expense.It makes me wonder why they are not so keen at the start of conflicts,then maybe they could be of use to our armed services.just a thought.
farehamscareham
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 12:33 PMWith flights there and back, that must make him 'two-planes' Willetts instead of 'two-brains' Willetts. Must alter the Wikipedia entry!
The Jazz Funkster
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 08:24 AMIs the tax payer funding his flight from the ever decreasing defence budget? I truly hope Mr Willets you are paying this yourself?
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