HC Deb 15 October 2001 vol 372 cc957-8W
Mr. Francois

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Territorial Army units are commanded by(a) Regular Army and (b) Territorial Army officers. [6997]

Dr. Moonie

A total of 59 Territorial Army units are commanded by Regular Army officers and 46 are commanded by Territorial Army officers.

Mr. Francois

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) two-star generals and (b) generals above this rank serving in the Army are Territorial Army officers. [6988]

Dr. Moonie

There are no two-star generals or generals above this rank currently serving in the Territorial Army.

Mr. Francois

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the(a) establishment and (b) actual strength was of the Territorial Army on 1 July. [6993]

Dr. Moonie

As at 1 July, the actual strength of the Territorial Army (less non-regular permanent staff) was 40,409, some 800 below the agreed establishment of 41,204.

Mr. Francois

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which the most undermanned unit is in the Territorial Army, expressed as actual strength as a percentage of establishment strength. [6991]

Dr. Moonie

The most undermanned unit in the Territorial Army (TA) is 203 Field Hospital Royal Army Medical Corps (Volunteers). The actual strength of this regiment is currently 59 per cent. of its establishment strength. As the hon. Member may know, there is a general shortfall in numbers in the Army Medical Services (TA) and a recruiting campaign is in place to address this. Numbers are beginning to increase and I expect this trend to continue.

Mr. Francois

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much money has been realised by the sale of Territorial Army centres since May 1997. [6996]

Dr. Moonie

Figures are not available for the period before April 1998. Since that date, some £7 million in receipts has been achieved from the sale of sites used primarily by the Territorial Army, in addition to a receipt in excess of £66 million for the Duke of York's HQ in London. A number of disposals of such sites are still in progress.

Mr. Francois

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many officers have been commissioned in the Territorial Army in the last three years. [6994]

Dr. Moonie

In the last three years, 2,314 officers have been commissioned into the Territorial Army. This figure excludes non-regular permanent staff.

Mr. Francois

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many officers have left the Territorial Army, including those transferring to the long-term reserve list, in the last three years. [6995]

Dr. Moonie

In the last three years, 2,663 officers have left the Territorial Army. This figure excludes non-regular permanent staff.