§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Defence what forces are available for rapid deployment and specialist reinforcement outside the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation area.
§ Mr. SpeedDepending on the nature of the requirement, we could draw for out-of-area tasks on a range of Her Majesty's forces based in the United Kingdom. These could include Royal Navy ships, an amphibious force of 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines, and specialist shipping. Various types of transport, combat and reconnaissance aircraft might also be called on. The primary source of air-lifted ground troops would be the Army units or Royal Marines Commandos constituting the spearhead battalion group which is always at 72 hours' notice to emplane worldwide, with leading elements at 24 hours' notice. Should follow-up troops be required they could be provided, under command of a field force headquarters which would probably be the headquarters of 8 Field Force, from units permanently stationed in the United Kingdom. There is, for example, a parachute battalion group available at all times, currently at seven days' notice. Special Air Service personnel could also be made available if the situation so dictated.