§ Mr. Jim Spicerasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he accepts that within Great Britain's overall defence requirement the rôle of both the regular and TA parachute brigades is vital; and if he will give an assurance that no further defence cuts are contemplated which would in any way impair the ability of these formations to operate at maximum efficiency.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownAs was announced in the Defence White Paper, the concept of the United Kingdom Joint Airborne Task Force of two battalions and their support is to be abandoned, but a limited parachute capability is to be retained within the United Kingdom Mobile Force.
So far as further defence cuts are concerned, I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to the hon. Member for Chingford (Mr. Tebbit) on 26th November.—[Vol. 901, c. 297.]