AFPS trip to Afghanistan  

There are various schemes available to Members of Parliament to pursue interests that assist us in our job and to inform decision making or to use for the benefit of the constituency.One of which is the IPT, the Industry Parliamentary Trust where a MP can choose to link up with a specific industry to gain a greater knowledge and understanding of that sector. I signed up for this and asked to be put with the quarrying industry as there is a huge amount of quarrying across the High Peak which not only creates many jobs but also creates opportunities for small businesses across the area as they supply goods and services to the industry.Another such scheme is the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme (AFPS). The purpose of the AFPS is to promote a greater awareness in MPs of the military. Years ago there were many MP’s who had military experience by virtue of fighting in the 2nd World War or National...