HC Deb 22 February 1977 vol 926 cc1211-2
12. Mr. Trotter

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why no airborne landings at or above battalion strength were made by the Parachute Regiment in the last two years.

Mr. Robert C. Brown

This Question is not up to the hon. Gentleman's usual high standard. He has made a mistake in tabling it. Clearly the hon. Gentleman is mistaken. There were three such landings in each of the years in question.

Mr. Trotter

Does the Minister accept that none of those landings was carried out in Germany? The operational rôle of the regiment is concerned with the enforcement of NATO boundaries, yet not one of those landings has been in that rôle. Is that not a change in operation? How can a crack unit maintain its efficiency if it never exercises in the area of operations where it would be required in time of war?

Mr. Brown

I cannot accept that from the hon. Gentleman. He realises that he has boobed and he wants to have a go at me for giving him the facts. An Airborne drop of battalion strength is useful training, irrespective of where it takes place. Clearly the hon. Member could not conscientiously say that there is nowhere in this country that compares with the western plain of Germany.