HC Deb 19 July 1985 vol 83 cc303-4W
Mr. D. E. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether exercise Brave Defender integrates United States and British plans for the ground defence of vital installations in Britain.

Mr. Stanley

The total strength of the home service force as at 31 May was 1,696.

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many and which units of the home service force are so far at full strength; how many and which are not at full strength, and by how much in percentage and absolute terms;

(2) if he will list the location of current units of the home service force and their parent units;

(3) if he will list the units of the home service force which have been formed to date.

Mr. Stanley

I shall write to the hon. Member.

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the planned locations of units of the home service force and their parent units which are yet to be formed.

Mr. Stanley

The planned locations of units of the home service force which are yet to be formed, and which are part of the plans to expand the home service force to a strength of almost 5,000 announced to Parliament in July last year, together with the names and locations of their respective sponsor units are as set out in the table. The companies to be formed in 1990 are being formed then because they are connected with units being formed as part of the TA phase 2 expansion.

Mr. Stanley

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 17 July.

55. Mr. D. E. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether United Stales of America and British plans for the ground defence of vital installations in the United Kingdom have been integrated; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Stanley

Plans for the ground defence of United States vital installations in the United Kingdom are integrated into our overall home defence plans. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced on 21 March at columns585–6 exercise Brave Defender will test our revised home defence plans and procedures and some United States forces will participate in the exercise.