§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Territorial Army infantry battalions and companies there were in each of the last 10 years; how many of each are planned for next year; and if he will make a statement. [21652]
§ Dr. ReidThe number of Territorial Army Infantry Battalions and Companies in each of the last 10 years is as follows:
TA Infantry Battalions and Companies Battalions Companies 1988 41 164 1989 41 164 1990 41 164 1991 41 164 1992 36 109 1993 36 109 1994 36 109 1995 36 109 1996 33 95 1997 33 95 These figures do not include the SAS (Volunteer Regiment, the Gibraltar Regiment and the Royal Irish (Home Service) Regiment. The future size and shape of the Territorial Army, including the number of Infantry battalions and companies, will be determined by the Strategic Defence Review as part of our work on the Armed Forces as a whole.
§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was(a) the ceiling on personnel numbers and (b) the actual strength of the Territorial Army in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [21651]
§ Dr. ReidThe strength and establishment of the Territorial Army as at the first of April in each of the last 10 years is as follows:
Strength Establishment 1988 74,700 86,000 1989 72,500 86,000 1990 72,500 86,000 1991 73,300 86,000 1992 71,300 63,500 1993 68,500 63,500 1994 65,000 63,500 1995 59,700 59,000 1996 56,100 59,000 1997 55,900 59,000 The future size and shape of the Territorial Army will be determined by the Strategic Defence Review as part of 421W our work on the Armed Forces as a whole. I am confident that the Review will produce a coherent and imaginative blueprint for the Reserves into the next century.
§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Territorial Army centres there were in each of the last 10 years. [21653]