HC Deb 22 March 1996 vol 274 cc334-5W
Sir Michael Grylls

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the purpose of the joint rapid deployment force. [22427]

Mr. Soames

The aim of JRDF is to strengthen the United Kingdom capability to project effective military forces quickly worldwide in support of our interests. It will be a joint force of up to reinforced brigade size, with supporting air and maritime components, capable of fulfilling a wide range of combat or non-combat missions, whether mounted nationally or as part of the UK's contribution to operations mounted by NATO, the Western European Union or the United Nations.