§ Mr. TrotterTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the distance being flown by 2nd Gurkha Rifles for training at Wainwright in Canada; how many aircraft will be needed for the journey; what consideration was given to sending units from the United Kingdom or Germany instead of part of the Hong Kong garrison; and when a battalion from Hong Kong last went for training in Canada.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonIt is proposed that the 2nd Gurkha Rifles will travel direct from Hong Kong to Edmonton in two chartered aircraft. The distance flown will be approximately 11,500 miles. Consideration was given to sending an infantry battalion from United Kingdom land forces or British Army of the Rhine, but neither command was able to release a battalion due to other commitments, drawdown and reorganisation. There is no record of a Hong Kong battalion previously training in Canada.