§ Mr. Onslowasked the Secretary of State for Defence what Army units have been or are to be disbanded as the result of the cuts announced in the Defence White Paper; and what other units are likely to be disbanded following the further cuts announced in the Budget.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownSo far as the defence review is concerned, as I explained on 17th June—[Vol. 893, c.2W 1210]—all cap-badged regiments in the Royal Armoured Corps and the infantry, including the Parachute Regiment, will be retained. However, as a result of the reorganisation of the Army, and in accordance with the principles of increasing the span of command and concentrating certain functions as announced in the White Paper, there will be fewer units in other Arms although generally speaking, they will have more sub-units than at present. For example, the Royal Engineers will be reduced from 13 to 11 regiments and the Logistic Services from 39 to 31 regiments. In the interests of security I am afraid that I am unable to release full details of our future order of battle at this stage.
The further reduction in defence expenditure for 1976–77 announced at the time of the last Budget will not lead to any disbandments.