§ Mr. John BrowneTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a further statement on his plans to deploy additional infantry battalions to Northern Ireland;
(2) what restraint is placed by current Army manning levels on his ability to provide extra infantry battalions for deployment in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe Army's commitments in Northern Ireland are accorded the highest priority. Force levels in Northern Ireland are kept under constant review and will continue to be adjusted as and when it is judged necessary to do so.