§ Mr. Jim Spicerasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many individual parachute descents have been made by soldiers serving in the First Battalion of the Parachute Regiment since they took up duty as in role battalion.
§ Mr. Robert C. Brown3,250.
§ Mr. Jim Spicerasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many parachuting exercises have been held by the First Battalion of the Parachute Regiment at company level since they assumed in role duty.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownThere has been one series of exercises in which three companies were involved, and another involving two companies.
§ Mr. Jim Spicerasked the Secretary of State for Defence when the First Battalion of the Parachute Regiment last exercised as a battalion in a parachuting role.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownIn September 1977.
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§ Mr. Jim Spicerasked the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the First Battalion of the Parachute Regiment took up in role duty.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownIn May 1977.
§ Mr. Jim Spicerasked the Secretary of State for Defence what financial savings have been achieved by the destruction of Headquarters 44 Parachute Brigade (Volunteers).
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownThe disbandment of HQ 44 Parachute Brigade (V) was one of a number of interrelated measures carried out as part of Army restructuring. The net savings attributable to individual elements in this process are not quantifiable.
§ Mr. Jim Spicerasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give urgent consideration to the establishment of a parachute formation at field force strength with a strong reserve provided from the Territorial and Auxiliary Volunteer Reserve with paratroop training at at least field force strength.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownNo.
§ Mr. Jim Spicerasked the Secretary of State for Defence what arms and services still retain a parachute capability, and would be able to act in support of an operational parachute descent at battalion level, given 14 days' notice.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownElements of the artillery, engineers, signals, chaplains250W department, medical, and electrical and mechanical engineers.
§ Mr. Jim Spicerasked the Secretary of State for Defence if all the crews within 38 Group are fully trained in a parachuting role, including heavy dropping.
§ Mr. WellbelovedThe number of crews trained in this role is commensurate with the parachute capability determined by the 1974–5 Defence Review.
§ Mr. Jim Spicerasked the Secretary of State for Defence if 38 Group RAF still retains the capability of dropping a parachute battalion plus supporting arms and services whilst flying in close formation.
§ Mr. WellbelovedThe RAF retains the capability of dropping a parachute battalion plus elements of supporting arms and services whilst flying in a stream formation, in accordance with the retention of a limited parachute capability following the 1974–5 Defence Review (Statement on the Defence Estimates 1975, page 12).