§ 34. Mr. A. Royleasked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for any further amalgamation of regiments, battalions or units of the Regular Army.
§ Mr. MulleyNone, Sir.
§ Mr. A. RoyleI am glad to hear the Minister's reply. Is he aware that, owing to the endless uncertainty which has been caused in the past by the Government's defence plans, many members of the Regular. Forces are very concerned that there a-e plans to reduce the numbers of the Regular Army? As his comments made a few minutes ago to my right hon. Friend on the Front Bench will not allay these doubts, will he give the House an assurance now that he will not reduce the size of the Regular Army?
§ Mr. MulleyIt is quite impossible to give an assurance about no increase or no reduction in any of the Armed Forces when a review is in progress. I would have thought that the clear undertaking which I gave, that we have no plans along the lines of the hon. Member's Question, would be of some satisfaction to those concerned.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. May I express the hope that Front Benchers will not take too great a share of supplementary questions? It deprives the back benchers of their opportunities.