HL Deb 22 February 1961 vol 228 cc1015-6

2.40 p.m.

LORD MACPHERSON OF DRUMOCHTER

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government if it is possible to arrange for Scotland to see more of its only cavalry regiment, the Royal Scots Greys; and whether it is their opinion that, if a squadron could be stationed in Scotland (preferably in or near Edinburgh the capital), this would be a great attraction during the tourist season and assist recruiting for this famous regiment.]

EARL JELLICOE

My Lords, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for War fully recognises the desire of Scotland to see more of the Royal Scots Greys. However, as your Lordships know, the deployment of cavalry regiments must be governed by operational requirements. For this reason, my right honourable friend regrets that it would not be possible at present to station a squadron of this regiment in Scotland.

LORD MACPHERSON OF DRUMOCHTER

My Lords, I thank the noble Earl for his reply. I think it is the first time he has replied to a Question in this House. May I say that it was only after I put this Question down that I learned that the Royal Scots Greys have no horses nowadays; they are a fully mechanised regiment. That makes the matter worse than ever. Arising out of the noble Earl's reply, may I ask if, having regard to the fact that London has two squadrons of mechanised Household Cavalry mounted here in London, arrangements could be made for one squadron—or half a squadron—of Royal Scots Greys, mounted on their traditional horses, to be stationed in or near Edinburgh to supply the ceremonial requirements of Scotland?

EARL JELLICOE

My Lords, I shall naturally be very glad to bring the noble Lord's suggestion to my right honourable friend's attention. But I should just like to bring to his notice something of which I am sure he is already aware; that there is already stationed in Edinburgh a battalion, kilted, of the Queen's Own Highlanders.

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, may I ask the noble Earl what are the operational requirements of a Scottish regiment in North-East England? Surely the noble Earl could ask the Minister whether it would be possible to have at least a squadron of a Scottish regiment stationed in Edinburgh at the peak tourist season. It has many troops there at the time for its big tattoo. I think there would be a great advantage, apart from the pride of the Scots, in having this regiment stationed for a short period in the capital city of Scotland.

EARL JELLICOE

My Lords, as I have already said, I shall be very glad to bring the suggestion to the attention of my right honourable friend. But I should like to point out that the Royal Scots Greys are not stationed in North-East England at the moment: they form part of the 20th Armoured Brigade in Germany. That is their operational rôle.

LORD OGMORE

My Lords, may I ask the noble Earl whether he would also bring to the notice of his right honourable friend the desire of the people of Wales to have one battalion of a Welsh regiment stationed in Cardiff?

LORD STONHAM

My Lords, while the noble Earl is bringing these matters to the attention of his right honourable friend will be bear in mind the necessity, if my noble friend has occasion to dash in and ask a Question like that again in a hurry, that he also should be mounted?