§ Mr. Wigginasked the Secretary of State for Defence what changes there are in composition and strength under the proposed restructuring of the Army of (1) an armoured car regiment, (2) an armoured regiment and (3) an infantry battalion.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownThe composition and strength of these units will vary depending upon the theatre of operations: this answer relates to BAOR.
One of the features of the reorganisation in which we are now engaged is a centralisation of specialist functions including logistic support. As part of this process the Royal Armoured Corps will in future provide close reconnaissance for the infantry; the Royal Armoured Corps and the infantry will give up their responsibility for surface-launched long-range anti-tank guided weapons and a proportion of unit resupply will be undertaken by the Royal Corps of Transport. The armoured reconnaissance regiments will in future be somewhat smaller, but there will be more of them, producing overall substantial increase in the number of squadrons. Both armoured regiments and infantry battalions will also be slightly reduced in numbers of men; but because of an improvement in the 153W ratio of weapons to men there will be an increase in the number of tanks per regiment and infantry battalions will have four rifle companies rather than three.