§ 10. Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Minister of State for Defence if he has now reached a decision as to the future of the Second Battalion, Scots Guards.
§ Mr. Ian GilmourThe Second Battalion, Scots Guards, is being retained at company size.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI thank my hon. Friend for the relatively small mercy of an independent company, which does fit quite well into the organisation of the Guards division. In view of the excellent recruiting record of this regiment, will he bear in mind the possibility of soon restoring it to full battalion status when the review foreshadowed yesterday by his noble Friend takes place?
§ Mr. GilmourYes, Sir, certainly.
§ Mr. George ThomsonCan the hon. Gentleman say whether the expansion promised yesterday in these company-size units will take place as the recruitment figures go up, or will they have to wait until the recruitment demands of the existing active units are already met?
§ Mr. GilmourI am not exactly sure of the significance of the distinction which the right hon. Gentleman draws. We hope that, when recruitment improves, these units will go up to their former strengths.