§ Mr. Gowasked the Secretary of State for Defence wheher he will reconsider his decision not to raise a full-time battalion of the Ulster Defence Regiment.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland will be speaking tomorrow on security and the findings of the Ministerial Committee on Law and Order. Its work has been concerned with, among other234W matters, the size and rôle of locally recruited forces.
§ Mr. Gowasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the establishment of the Ulster Defence Regiment; by how many the present number of members falls short of that establishment; and what steps he is taking to increase recruitment and diminish wastage.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownProvision is currently made for an establishment of 10,000: the total strength at 31st May 1976 was 7,726. In a volunteer force such as the Ulster Defence Regiment a constant turnover of personnel is both natural and healthy. Steps to increase recruitment include those outlined in my reply on 10th May to the hon. Member for Epping Forest (Mr. Biggs-Davison).
§ Mr. Gowasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the present strength of each battalion of the Ulster Defence Regiment on the latest available date; what is the total strength of the Ulster Defence Regiment; and what were the equivalent figures on the same date for each year since the Regiment was formed.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownThe total strength of the Ulster Defence Regiment at 31st May 1976 was 7,726. Details of the total strengths as at 1st April for each year since the regiment was formed are contained in the Statement on the Defence Estimates published annually. It is not our practice to disclose the strength of individual battalions.