BATTLE OF ARRAS (1917) - SCOTTISH MEMORIAL MONUMENT

That this House pays tribute to the sacrifice of the 53,000 Scottish soldiers, enlisted in the 9th, 15th and 51st Scottish divisions as well as other Scottish regiments within the Canadian and British divisions, who fought and lost their lives in the Battle of Arras on 9 April 1917; notes that this Battle saw the largest concentration of Scots ever to have fought together, 44 Scottish battalions and seven Scottish-named Canadian battalions; further notes that unlike Scotland, other nations such as Ireland, Wales, Canada, the US, Russia, Australia and South Africa have memorials in France; commends the leadership of the Monument Project Group in the ongoing campaign for the building of a memorial monument in the city of Arras in northern France by public subscription; further commends the members of the committee on the fruitful collaboration with local officials in relation to the establishment of the Scottish monument in the Arras area; and expresses the hope that Mr Ian Thomson's relentless efforts in raising awareness and financial support for the advance of the project will yet bear fruit.