Army call to host parades
Updated on 14 October 2007
The welcome accorded to soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan became a political issue last month, when the head of the army called for councils to stage homecoming parades for them.
The Government and the opposition swiftly moved to endorse that call, but there's been little sign so far that it's being taken up.
John Sparks went along to the Guildhall, in the City of London, to witness one discreet welcome-home ceremony.
The Territorial Army's Somme Company have the right to march with full colours through the streets of London - but does the public really care?
140 soliders returned today from Afghanistan, after six months away. They will re-enter civilian life, knowing that many greet Britain's foreign deployments with real indifference, and some with outright hostility.
