§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Minister of State for Defence how many women have been recruited to the Ulster Defence Regiment to date; and whether he will make a statement about UDR recruiting and discharges.
§ Mr. BlakerNo women have been recruited to the Ulster Defence Regiment pending the current legislation on the subject. Male recruiting has returned to the level which prevailed before the rapid expansion of the winter of 1971–72. In recent months there have been a number of discharges due mainly to our policy of reviewing the record of men who have been poor attenders. The operational effectiveness of the regiment remains high.