HC Deb 15 April 1975 vol 890 cc52-3W
26. Mr. Younger

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the net manpower saving which will result from the proposed reorganisation of the command structure in the BAOR.

Mr. Robert C. Brown

As the Defence White Paper explains, we will not, in advance of MBFR, reduce the forces which we maintain on the mainland of Europe in accordance with our Brussels Treaty obligations. For this reason substantial manpower savings are not being sought as a consequence of the reorganisation of the BAOR command structure. But this reorganisation will enable a significant number of men to be redeployed into teeth arm units and for the man-to-weapon ratio to be improved.

27. Mr. Goodhew

asked the Secretary unionists concerning the cuts in defence of State for Defence how many regiments expenditure are controlled by one headquarters in the BAOR.

Mr. Robert C. Brown

At present, excluding HQ BAOR itself, there are 12 headquarters which together command 54 teeth arm units. The number of regiments commanded by each headquarters varies with the type of formation. At present a divisional headquarters commands directly five major teeth arm units and two brigade headquarters, which in turn each command four teeth arm units.