HC Deb 19 February 1969 vol 778 cc466-8
39. Mr. Younger

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has now considered what alternative rôle can be given to the 1st Battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders so that it can be retained in the order of battle.

60. Mr. Edward M. Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he now has for the employment of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

Mr. Boyden

I regret that there is no practicable alternative role for this regiment.

Mr. Younger

Does not the Minister think that the regiment concerned has been extremely helpful and co-operative in suggesting these alternatives? Does he not think that he should pay some attention to the expressed wishes of a vast number of members of the public in a Petition having more than a million signatures to try to reprieve this regiment?

Mr. Boyden

All these proposals have been carefully considered, and none are satisfactory.

Mr. Taylor

Is the Minister aware that there is great public feeling in Scotland about this matter? Does he realise that his policy in this matter, as in others, almost gives the impression that the Government have a vested interest in running down the morale of the Forces and the security of this country?

Mr. Boyden

Rubbish.

Mr. MacPherson

Will my hon. Friend make clear what the sponsors of the Petition have never made clear, namely, that they are demanding that the Argylls alone, among the whole British Army, be exempted from policies pursued by the previous Government and by this Government?

Mr. Boyden

A great many hon. Gentlemen opposite are making pure politics out of this issue.

Mr. Gordon Campbell

Is the Minister aware that a great many people in Scotland deplore the threats to famous regiments which are damaging to recruiting and bad for Service morale.

Mr. Boyden

"Threats" is an absurd word to use. The Forces are to be run down. The basis for doing it is throughly fair for all parts of the United Kingdom. It has been considered with great impartiality and fairness.

Mr. James Hamilton

Is my hon. Friend aware that my regiment, the Highland Light Infantry, was disbanded by the Opposition when they were in government?

Mr. Boyden

When similar reductions were made there was very little cry from the Opposition, when they were in power, and the Press supported them.

Mr. Monro

Does the Minister mean that all the brains of the Ministry of Defence are unable to find a job for the best-recruited regiment in Scotland? Why is he killing off the goose which is laying all the golden eggs?

Mr. Boyden

It is not the best-recruited regiment in Scotland. As I said earlier, very fair consideration has been given to this matter.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Is the Minister aware that many of us regard this Petition with these million signatures with something like suspicion? Is he aware that I have in my hand a boast from a young girl of 14 who says that she has signed 15 different Petition forms? Is he aware that a great deal of the time of this House has been taken by counting and incurring a lot of expense on spurious Petitions?

Mr. Boyden

I am not always aware of what is going on in my hon. Friend's mind, but I am glad to know it on this occasion.

Mr. Younger

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment.