§ Lord Vivianasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they consider that 45,000 is the minimum strength at which the Territorial Army can operate efficiently; and [HL3573]
How, if a large part of the Territorial Army infantry is disbanded, the Regular Army will be reinforced for operations; and [HL3574]
Whether the Regular Army of 116,000 could be reinforced and units regenerated in times of national and international crisis with a Territorial Army below the strength of 45,000; and, if so, how. [HL3577]
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Gilbert)The Strategic Defence Review defined the missions that the Armed Forces should be able to undertake, and the various scales of effort that we should be able to contribute to those missions over and above those required for day-to-day commitments such as Northern Ireland.
Taking account of the readiness requirements and other planning assumptions, the Strategic Defence Review identified a total requirement for the Territorial Army, including infantry, of around 40,000.
Both the Territorial Army and the Regular Reserves will be used to regenerate the Regular Army as required.
§ Lord Vivianasked Her Majesty's Government:
How, with the present military commitments, overstretch can be reduced if there are cuts in the combatant Territorial Army regiments; and which of these regiments are to be disbanded or reduced to squadron, company or battery size. [HL3576]
§ Lord GilbertWe recognised in the Strategic Defence Review that, to address the causes of overstretch, there needed to be a better balance between resources and commitments. In the Army, we will maintain our current level of commitments but will increase establishments by 3,300 personnel and create a sixth deployable brigade. The Territorial Army will continue to provide volunteers to serve with the Regular Army.
No decisions have yet been taken on which Territorial Army units will be disbanded or reduced in size. An announcement will be made shortly.