HC Deb 07 July 1981 vol 8 c120W
Mr. Trotter

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the present strength of the British Army of the Rhine; which division will be held in the United Kingdom as a reserve for the British Army of the Rhine; where its headquarters will be based; where the ninth regular brigade will be based; and whether the 5th field force will continue to be based in Germany and the 7th field force to be based in the United Kingdom in a supporting role for British Army of the Rhine.

Mr. Goodhart

The current strength of the British Army of the Rhine is about 57,500. A final decision on which divisional headquarters should be re-located in the United Kingdom, and where, has not yet been taken. The ninth regular brigade for the British Army of the Rhine will be 7th field force, which will continue to be based at Colchester. Units currently based in Germany under command of 5th field force will remain there but will be re-assigned to the three new armoured divisions. 5th field force headquarters will be withdrawn to the United Kingdom to command the regular component of the reinforcing division at a location still to be decided.