§ 4. Sir Michael Spicer (West Worcestershire)If he will make a statement on changes in the trained strength of the regular army between 1997 and 2001. [66961]
§ The Minister of State for Defence (Mr. Adam Ingram)Army strength stood at 101,199 as at 31 December 1997 and 100,914 as at 31 December 2001.
§ Sir Michael SpicerGiven those figures, how can the Government plan a land war in Iraq?
§ Mr. IngramAs we have shown time and again, when our armed forces are called on to defend the interests of this country, they do so.
§ Mr. James Gray (North Wiltshire)That is not an adequate response. There is widespread speculation in the papers and elsewhere that the United Kingdom's contribution to United States' action in Iraq will be one formed division of 20,000 to 25,000 soldiers. The Army is 6,000 under strength and the Government have not lived up to their SDR commitment to recruit 3,500 extras. When will the Army be fully recruited? How confident is the Minister about putting a formed division on the ground in Iraq or anywhere else?
§ Mr. IngramThere are two parts to that question. Our recruitment and retention measures have started to turn around the 15-year downward trend. As of June 2002, the whole Army strength stood at 101,503, which is an increase of 1,356 in the past 12 months. We are confident that we will continue to reverse the downward trend of those years. We have put many measures in place to produce a more positive return and they are beginning to pay off.