IT was a huge pleasure for me to visit Canada last week as part of the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme (AFPS), to see first-hand the British Army’s BATUS training facility on the remote Alberta plain.

It’s an incredible place where large scale exercises are run, involving thousands of British soldiers every year, and it was a real privilege to meet some of the troops – including a local man from Penarth and a former constituent from Cardiff.

The cross-party AFPS gives Members of both the Commons and the Lords the opportunity of learning about the work of all our Armed Forces, and the challenges facing them at home and on operations overseas. It opens a unique window into the world of everyday life in the forces, and the tasks that military personnel are asked to undertake on our behalf.

This is my second year on the scheme, and it has provided me with an invaluable insight into what life is like for our forces, on exercise and on operations, both here in the UK and overseas. I’ve learned a great deal and am looking forward to learning more during the rest of my time on the programme.

I believe that as elected members, who make important decisions in parliament about the engagement of our troops and other defence matters, it is crucial that we try to further our understanding of the challenges they face. After all, we send them on operations, and we owe them our full support.

I’m sure readers have been enjoying the Rugby World Cup, which has seen some fantastic games so far. Japan’s amazing effort in beating South Africa was an early highlight, but of course last weekend’s events were some of the greatest ever for Welsh rugby fans.

The incredible win against England on Saturday evening was nail-biting, exhausting and emotional. The determination and true grit displayed by Wales, despite the ever increasing injury list and the intimidating Twickenham atmosphere, was just amazing.

The players did the whole nation proud!

If you need my assistance, or want to know my views on matters of policy, just get in touch with my office, which is based in Mount Stuart Square in Cardiff Bay. You can email me at stephen.doughty.mp@parliament.uk or call 02920 452072, or contact me on twitter @SDoughtyMP. I also hold regular surgeries around the constituency – for details check my website or call the office.