HC Deb 17 June 1971 vol 819 cc622-8
16. Mr. Mather

asked the Minister of State for Defence what is the maximum number of major units, normally stationed in the British Army of the Rhine, which have been on temporary duty in Northern Ireland at the same time.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

Four, Sir.

Mr. Mather

Can my hon. Friend say at what period this maximum effort took place, how many periods there were and what proportion of B.A.O.R. strength this represented?

Mr. Johnson Smith

The first B.A.O.R. unit went to Northern Ireland in March, 1970. The figure rose to three in July, 1970, and has fluctuated since then. It dropped to one in March, 1971, and it returned to four this April. There are 13 major units, as my hon. Friend knows, in Northern Ireland, and there are four battalions from B.A.O.R. My hon. Friend will be aware that there are 52,000 men and women in B.A.O.R. It is a small proportion.

Mr. Simon Mahon

While everybody gives credit to the British Army for the excellent way in which it has done its duty in Northern Ireland, could we be given an assurance that the Government are pursuing their social and economic aims in Northern Ireland? The more they do this, the less will be the need for further troops.

Mr. Johnson Smith

That is a question for my right hon. Friend.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

On the use of these units and on patrolling, would my hon. Friend acquaint himself with the steps being taken on the other side of the border by the Irish Republic authorities to patrol and to prevent the explosives mentioned during an earlier Question from being brought into Northern Ireland—and the arms, and so on—in view of the further security considerations involved? Will he also realise that I would not expect any answer but "Yes"?

Mr. Johnson Smith

That is an interesting question, but it should more properly be put to my right hon. Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary.

17. Sir F. Maclean

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many Army personnel, including those on temporary duty in Northern Ireland, are now stationed in the British Army of the Rhine, and how these figures compare with the numbers on 1st January, 1969.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

On 1st June, 1971 there were 53,716 Army personnel, including those on temporary duty in Northern Ireland, stationed in the British Army of the Rhine. On 1st January, 1969 there were 52,796.

Sir F. Maclean

These figures are satisfactory as far as they go, but is my hon. Friend bearing in mind the probability of substantial American troop withdrawals from Europe and the consequent ever-greater importance of our keeping up our conventional strength there?

Mr. Johnson Smith

Yes, Sir. We are very well aware of this. If recruiting continues to go well, the strength of the Rhine Army is forecast to reach 55,000 by April, 1972; and that is our obligation.

Mr. Richard

Did the figure of 52,796 that the Minister quoted include 6 Brigade? If the figure did include 6 Brigade, which was the basis upon which all the figures were given by the previous Administration, I think it was a little high.

Mr. Johnson Smith

It does include 6 Brigade.

23. Mr. Mather

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many major units stationed in the British Army of the Rhine have served on short tours in Northern Ireland; and how many of them have served more than one tour there.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

Eleven up to date. No unit has so far served more than one emergency tour from British Army of the Rhine.

Mr. Mather

To what extent does this interfere with the training side of these units stationed in B.A.O.R.?

Mr. Johnson Smith

It is not my understanding that it has interfered in any serious way with the training of B.A.O.R. Obviously for a unit to go to Northern Ireland takes it away from its normal duties. To that extent I suppose that it can be said that there has been interference. My hon. Friend should not draw from my answer any conclusion which leads him to think that we are alarmed.

    cc624-5
  1. Royal Marines (Junior Ratings) 220 words
  2. c625
  3. Brunei 105 words
  4. cc625-6
  5. R.A.F. Jet Trainer 216 words
  6. cc626-7
  7. Persian Gulf 385 words
  8. cc627-8
  9. Army Officers (Pre-University Commissions) 136 words
  10. c628
  11. University Royal Naval Units 158 words