HC Deb 29 October 1970 vol 805 cc405-6
27. Sir G. Nabarro

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will defer disbandment and amalgamation of infantry regiments and now make a further statement concerning the 3rd Royal Greenjackets, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and other regiments, having regard to international developments since July 1970.

31. Mr. Boyden

asked the Minister of State for Defence what alterations he is making in the rundown of Army units.

Mr. Ian Gilmour

The reduction of a tenth major unit, which the previous Administration considered might be necessary will not take place. Those infantry units due to be disbanded in Phase II of the rundown are to be retained at company size. This includes the 3rd Royal Green Jackets and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Of the two infantry units planned to be amalgamated, one, the 1st Battalion, The Gloucestershire Regiment, will be retained at battalion size, and the other, the 1st Battalion, The Royal Hampshire Regiment, at company size. The amalgamation planned in the Royal Armoured Corps will still take place but an additional Squadron will be raised in the new Regiment. The Royal Engineers will retain a reduced Squadron.

Sir G. Nabarro

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that the regiments selected for retention at company strength, notably the Royal Hampshire Regiment, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and the 3rd Royal Green Jackets, have all traditionally recruited in areas which have an illustrious record for recruiting, particularly, for example, the Royal Hampshire Regiment? Why cut a regiment down to this mini-strength when it has such a huge recruiting potential?

Mr. Gilmour

My hon. Friend is saying that these units were illustrious in many different ways. Of course we should have liked them to continue at full strength, but the manpower situation which we inherited made this impossible.

Mr. Boyden

Will the hon. Gentleman explain how the Government will use these reprieved companies operationally? Will he make clear what career prospects there are in them for senior non-commissioned officers and, possibly, senior captains and majors?

Mr. Gilmour

Possible tasks which can be performed by these companies are as air portable companies in brigades of 3 Division, in operational rôles in the Mediterranean, or reinforcement in Northern Ireland, in participation in contingency operations overseas, in demonstration duties, and assistance with recruiting and training, with the TAVR, and in cadet training, and public duties. The hon. Gentleman also asked about prospects for careers. The Army is organised in divisions and therefore the career prospects in these companies will not be affected.

Mr. George Thomson

Can the hon. Gentleman assure us that, from any extra recruits which the efforts of the Minister of State bring in, these company-sized units will have priority in build-up of strength over and above the general requirements of the rest of the Army?

Mr. Gilmour

As my right hon. Friend said yesterday, if the recruiting situation improves, these units will be the first to be expanded.

Mr. Longden

Is my hon. Friend aware that the best recruiting record of any regiment in the Army was held by the Durham Light Infantry? What plans has he for resurrecting that regiment?

Mr. Gilmour

I am sure my hon. Friend agrees that it is impossible for us to undo all the damage done by the previous Administration.