YORK'S Iraq war heroes have been praised in the House of Commons for their "professionalism" and

"bravery".

City MP Hugh Bayley applauded the courage of 2 Signal Regiment as soldiers

- led by Lieutenant-Colonel Stuart McCrostie - returned to Imphal barracks.

His comments were echoed by leader of the Commons, Dr John Reid, who said

the city should be proud of "every single one of them".

Mr Bayley told MPs he had written to Lt Col McCrostie to wish him luck before his troops left for the Gulf.

He said: "On the eve of the regiment's going into battle, he wrote to me to say that it was his ambition to bring all his soldiers back alive.

"Mercifully, that is what has happened."

Mr Bayley also sent a message of luck to 219 Squadron, which remains in

Iraq.

Dr Reid said: "I am sure that we send collectively from the House our

congratulations to the commanding officer and to 2 Signal Regiment, particularly as they are returning to York, which has been a garrison town for 2,000 years, and because they represent success.

"Whatever differences we have in the House over Iraq, the one view on which

we should have none is that, once again, our armed forces have shown that, pound for pound, they are as good as, and probably better than, any in the world. We should be immensely proud of every single one of them."

Mr Bayley has now written to Lt Col McCrostie with a copy of the official

Parliamentary record of the exchange, which took place in Business Questions.

The letter says: "I want to congratulate you and the men and women of 2

Signal Regiment for your courage, professionalism and effectiveness in Iraq.

"Britain's armed forces achieved the difficult objectives set by the Government, and brought enormous benefits to the Iraqi people -freedom, human rights and the opportunity to rebuild their country and their standard of living.

"When you wrote to me from Kuwait, you told me that you would do all you

could to bring your soldiers through the war alive, and thankfully, you have achieved this.

"The House of Commons owe you and the members of your Regiment an enormous debt of gratitude."

Updated: 10:20 Saturday, June 07, 2003