HC Deb 28 July 1989 vol 157 cc1035-6W
Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the manpower strength of the British Army in Northern Ireland; and if he will give details of the number of operatives for the categories(a) UDR, Regular British Army, and (b) British Territorial Army on 31 December 1988 and 30 June 1989.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The figures for 31 December 1988 and for 31 March 1989 (the latest available) are as follows:

31 December 1988 31 March 1989
Ulster Defence Regiment 6,312 6,342
Regular Army 9,695 9,658
Territorial Army 3,755 3,812

The figures for the Ulster Defence Regiment include both full time and part-time soldiers. Soldiers of the Territorial Army are not used in support of the RUC in counter-terrorist operations.