§ Mr. John BrowneTo ask the Secetary of State for Defence if he will list the current peace-time establishments, by rank of the medical, catering and ordnance support arms of each of the three services and their annual cost in terms of salary.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe information requested is not available in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. John BrowneTo ask the Secetary of State for Defence what is, in his reorganisation of the armed forces, his policy on retention by each of the three armed-forces of its own individual medical (including dental), communications, mechanical, catering and ordnance supporting arms.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonIn looking for savings in support commensurate with those in the front line, we are examining the scope for rationalisation in all areas. The services will retain individual supporting arms where it is operationally necessary and cost-effective to do so.