§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the annual cost of retaining an armoured division in the Federal Republic of Germany;
(2) what is the total annual cost of operating and maintaining a regiment of tanks.
§ Mr. StanleyThe annual running cost of an armoured division will depend on a number of factors including its composition, location and activity levels. On the basis of a division comprising five armoured regiments, five mechanised infantry battalions and appropriate signals, artillery and aviation support the average cost would be in excess of £200 million a year at current prices. This excludes, inter alia, the capital costs of equipment, indirect support, headquarters costs and accommodation. On the same basis the annual cost of a tank regiment is about £12 million.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the average number of officers and men in an armoured division.
§ Mr. FreemanThe precise number of officers and men will depend on its composition and role, but the average peacetime establishment of an armoured division is approximately 13,000.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the average number of tanks in an armoured division.
§ Mr. FreemanIt is not our practice to give details of the number of tanks in operational units or formations.