Mr. O'NeillTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what role 3 Commando Brigade will play in the district home defence exercises to be held from September to November;
(2) what role 5 Airborne Brigade will play in the district home defence exercises to be held from September to November;
(3) what is the maximum number of (a) military personnel and (b) brigades due to participate in the district home defence exercises to be held from September to November;
(4) if United Kingdom-based infantry brigades taking part in the district home defence exercises to be held from September to November will participate in exercises in military districts other than their own.
§ Mr. FreemanOf the four home defence brigades, three will participate in their own district exercises, while 5 Airborne Brigade will give some exercise support to Southeast district and Wales. The aggregate number of troops participating in nine separate exercises at various times over a nine week period is aproximately 60,000. No district will have more than 6,500 troops in the field in any one day.
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Mr. O'NeillTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if the wartime headquarters of the United Kingdom commanders-in-chief committee will be activated during the district home defence exercises to be held from September to November;
(2) if the wartime headquarters of United Kingdom land forces will be activated during the district home defence exercises to be held from September to November;
(3) on what date planning was commenced for the series of military district home defence exercises to be held in the United Kingdom from September to November; and what changes have taken place in the proposed level of command of the exercises since then;
(4) what is the collective title given to the series of military district home defence exercises to be held from September to November.
(5) if a district home defence exercise will be held in Northern Ireland this autumn; and if he will make a statement;
(6) if a district home defence exercise will be held in Scotland this autumn; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanBetween September and November this year, there will be military home defence exercises in all military districts except Northern Ireland. Planning commenced in July 1986 following the home commanders in chief's endorsement of the United Kingdom field army commander's policy for home defence exercises which instructed district commanders to hold district exercises in 1988. There is no collective title since these will be separate exercises under the independent command of the appropriate general officer commanding. There have been no changes to the proposed level of command since planning began and there are no plans to activate war headquarters at Headquarters United Kingdom Land Forces or for the United Kingdom commanders in chief committee.