Mr. O'NeillTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his assessment of the impact of the "Options for Change"
study on service morale.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe need for the "Options for Change" study is well understood within the services.
Mr. O'NeillTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what studies have taken place into the possible amalgamation of regiments as part of the "Options for Change" process;
(2) what consideration has been given to (a) disbanding regiments and (b) converting regiments from Regular to Territorial status as part of the "Options for Change" study;
(3) whether he is making an assessment of permanently stationing regiments at particular locations as part of the "Options for Change" study;
(4) whether any consideration of posting individual service personnel from regiment to regiment is taking place as part of the "Options for Change" study;
(5) whether he is reassessing the system of moving complete regiments to different locations as part of the "Options for Change" study.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonWe continue to study these and other matters as part of our work on "Options for Change"; but, as we have made clear on previous occasions, it is our intention to retain the regimental system.