§ Mr. Home RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish a table showing(a) the nominal manpower establishment, (b) the actual manpower strength, (c) the percentage of nominal establishment achieved, (d) the number of recruits becoming available each year, and (e) the rate of retention of recruits and trained soldiers for each regiment and division in the British Army.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonI will write to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. John BrowneTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his oral answer to the hon. Members for Dartford (Mr. Dunn) and for Wallsend (Mr. Garrett) of 4 June,Official Report, column 143, how he proposes to make the decisions as to where and how manpower reductions in the Army will be imposed following the consultation process within the Army; and how he intends to reconcile conflicting interests within the Army and ensure a fair hearing for all interests.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonWe have asked the Army to bring forward proposals on how to achieve the restructuring set out by the Secretary of State in his answer of 4 June. Consultation will be widespread, including all regimental colonels and colonels commandant. I am confident that all interests will have a fair hearing and that the regimental system will show that it can adapt to change.