§ Mr. Goodhartasked the Secretary of State for Defence what reductions of manpower in the Royal Air Force he intends to make in 1975, 1976, 1977 and 1978 respectively.
§ Mr. JohnThe proposals to reduce defence expenditure would involve reducing RAF Service personnel by about 18,000 compared with the strength at 1st April this year. Between 1st April and 1st October this year the strength reduced by 2,243. It is not yet possible to state how the remaining reductions will be phased over the period to the end of 1978.
§ Mr. Goodhartasked the Secretary of State for Defence what reductions of manpower in the Royal Navy he expects to make in 1975, 1976, 1977 and 1978 respectively.
§ Mr. JuddAs my right hon. Friend told the House on 3rd December, it is proposed over the next few years to reduce Royal Navy and Royal Marines level of manpower strength by 5,000 compared with the level in April this year. This will be achieved as far as possible by normal wastage; some 50,000 RN and RM personnel would be expected to complete their service during this period. I cannot say more at the moment.
62W
§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the extent to which it is envisaged that the strength of the Gurkha force will be cut as a result of the defence review;
(2) whether it is proposed to disband the Parachute Regiment; and, if so, when.
§ Mr. Peter Walkerasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if it is his intention to disband the Gurkha battalion to be withdrawn from Brunei;
(2) what is his calculation as to the size of the Gurkha brigade by 1984 as compared with the present size;
(3) how the reduction of manpower of 12,000 Service men is spread between Army regiments.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownI cannot at this stage provide details about the composition of the expected reduction in Army manpower. However, I confirm that it is our intention to achieve the reduction to the maximum extent possible by pruning overheads and by structural adjustment and we shall make every effort to avoid a significant impact on the regimental system with its historic loyalties and traditions.
§ Mr. Peter Walkerasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give his estimates as to the reductions in the number of Service men and the number of directly employed civilians in each of the years 1974 to 1984.
§ Mr. William RodgersThe figures given in the statement of 3rd December indicated broad orders of magnitude over a period of years. They cannot be translated into precise annual reductions until all our consultations have been completed.