HC Deb 18 June 2002 vol 387 cc199-200W
Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he plans to reduce the number of tank regiments in the British Army; [62226]

(2) if he plans to reduce the number of Challenger 2 tanks in the British Army; and if he will make a statement. [62222]

Mr. Ingram

There are no plans to reduce the number of tank regiments or the number of Challenger 2 tanks in the British Army.

Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the(a) establishment and (b) fully trained manned strength was of each tank regiment in the British Army in March of each of the past five years; and if he plans to reduce the establishment of the regiments. [62227]

Mr. Ingram

The establishment and trained manned strength of regiments equipped with Challenger 2 tanks' as at 1 April 2002 and in each of the previous four years is detailed as follows. There are no plans to reduce the establishment of these regiments.

1 8 Squadron I Royal Tank Regiment/Joint Nuclear Biological and Chemical Regiment retains Challenger 2 tanks in their role as the demonstrations squadron at Warminster.

Regiment Establishment Strength
1 April 2002
Scots Dragoon Guards 497 457
Royal Dragoon Guards 497 495
Queen's Royal Hussars 497 508
King's Royal Hussars 497 488
Queen's Royal Lancers 497 475
2 Royal Tank Regiment 506 489
1 April 2001
Scots Dragoon Guards 497 415
Royal Dragoon Guards 497 470
Queen's Royal Hussars 497 441
King's Royal Hussars 497 486
Queen's Royal Lancers 497 451
2 Royal Tank Regiment 506 538
1 April 2000
Scots Dragoon Guards 511 424
Royal Dragoon Guards 511 431
Queen's Royal Hussars 511 399
King's Royal Hussars 511 463
Queen's Royal Lancers 511 445
2 Royal Tank Regiment 511 439
1 April 1999
Scots Dragoon Guards 411 382
Royal Dragoon Guards 470 412
Queen's Royal Hussars 408 396
King's Royal Hussars 470 453
Queen's Royal Lancers 470 514
2 Royal Tank Regiment 410 387
Regiment Establishment Strength
1 April 1998
Scots Dragoon Guards 394 373
Royal Dragoon Guards 470 400
Queen's Royal Hussars 470 470
King's Royal Hussars 470 451
Queen's Royal Lancers 470 440
2 Royal Tank Regiment 394 380