§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of Army personnel in the Gulf are from Scottish regiments; what proportion Scottish regiments form of the regular army; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonApproximately 9 per cent. of the regular army soldiers currently in the Gulf are from Scottish regiments. There are of course other personnel of Scottish origin serving in the Gulf in units with country wide recruitment areas. Some 5 per cent. of the units making up the British Army are Scottish, though again, there are personnel of Scottish origin serving in other units. The selection of units to serve in the Gulf was based on purely military criteria and without regard to region of origin. I am pleased to see that Scottish regiments are well represented in the Gulf where I am confident that they will serve with distinction.