§ 52. Mr. Emeryasked the Secretary of State for Defence if it remains Government policy to disband six infantry battalions following the deployment of troops in Northern Ireland.
§ 61. Mr. Goodhartasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will halt the rundown in the number of infantry battalions in the Army.
§ Mr. RichardOn present plans there remain eight infantry battalions to be reduced. The deployment of troops to Northern Ireland has not affected our policy in this respect, and we do not propose to halt or delay the rundown.