§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence how his new target of 166,300 for the Army's strength in 1979 compares with its present strength and that on 1st March 1974.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownThe strength of the Army on 1st March 1974 was 180,500 and on 1st January 1978 was 170,500.
§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, having regard to his decision to reduce by 1,900 men his planned cuts in the strength of the Army, he will reconsider his decision to disband the Army youth teams and redeploy the 395 soldiers helping young people as members of these teams.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownNo.
§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence how the additional 1,900 men planned to be in the Army in 1979 will be divided between (a) the need to fill command and administrative posts in Ulster without depleting the rest of the 368W Army, (b) the additional infantry battalion to be formed and (c) other posts.
§ Mr. Robert C. Brown650 of the men are required for the additional infantry battalion. The remaining 1,250 are required so that existing command and infrastructure posts in Northern Ireland can be manned without depleting the rest of the Army.