§ 50. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Defence, the number of soldiers and the names of the British regiments now on duty in Northern Ireland and his plans for the future stationing of British troops in Northern Ireland, stating the number of men and the names of their regiments to the latest convenient date.
§ Mr. HattersleyAbout 5,500 army uniformed personnel are now serving in Northern Ireland. In addition there are just over 500 men of the Royal Air Force, employed in an internal security rôle.
The major units now serving in Northern Ireland are:
There are in addition a number of administrative and logistic units.
- (a) 17/21st Lancers (less two squadrons on overseas tours but reinforced by The Parachute Squadron, Royal Armoured Corps).
- (b) 1st Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery, (reinforced by 31 Battery, 47th Light Regiment, Royal Artillery). The Regiment is performing the same tasks as the infantry battalions.
- (c) 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards.
- (d) 2nd Battalion, The Queen's Regiment.
- (e) 1st Battalion. The Light Infantry.
- (f) 1st Battalion, The Gloucestershire Regiment.
- (g) 1st Battalion, The Parachute Regiment.
- (h) 33 (Field) Wing, Royal Air Force Regiment (reinforced by 4 Battery, 47th Light Regiment, Royal Artillery). The Wing is performing the same tasks as the Infantry battalions.
It would not be in the public interest to disclose our plans for the future stationing of troops in Northern Ireland.