THE wishes of the family of fallen York hero Ashley David Smith have been debated in the House of Commons.

Within hours of a bench being dedicated to the memory of Trooper Smith in West Bank Park, MPs were hearing that his family want troops to come home permanently from Afghanistan by 2015.

Both Hugh Bayley, MP for York Central, and Defence Secretary Liam Fox paid tribute to the 21-year-old Acomb member of the Royal Dragoon Guards who died earlier this year in Afghanistan.

Mr Bayley said Trooper Smith’s family had told him at the dedication: “They think about the soldiers still in Afghanistan and want to ensure that they get all the equipment they need, and secondly they support the Government in their strategy to create conditions so that, within the life of this Parliament, our troops can be brought home.” Dr Fox said he was “extremely grateful” for the comments and for the family’s sentiments. He said: “It is essential not only that this country supports our troops, but that we support their mission, because that is what they are asking us to do.

“It is important for the morale of those serving that we do so, but it is also important for the peace of mind of the families who have lost loved ones to know that their sacrifices were not in vain.”