HC Deb 27 October 1992 vol 212 cc612-4W
Mr. Home Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many battalions are now deployed in, or committed to, Northern Ireland; and how that figure varies from the assumptions underlying "Options for Change".

Mr. Archie Hamilton

There are currently 12 battalion-sized units deployed in Northern Ireland. Planning under "Options for Change" assumed that no less than 10 such units would be deployed but that the actual number would be revised from time to time in the light of the security situation.

Mr. Home Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the effect of the deployment of British forces with the United Nations in Bosnia on his Department's projections for military requirements under "Options for Change".

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The requirement to allow sufficient leeway to deal with the unexpected and to meet peacetime commitments without unacceptable strain was one of the major considerations underpinning our work on "Options for Change". The deployment of forces to Bosnia has had no impact upon our plans for the restructuring of the Army.

Mr. Home Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the projected interval between emergency tour deployments for infantry soldiers if current and planned deployments in Northern Ireland, Bosnia and elsewhere continue as well as amalgamations of battalions and cuts in infantry strength under "Options for Change"; and if he will make a statement on the attainability of his Department's target of 24-month intervals between emergency tours for infantry soldiers under present circumstances.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The effect of current and planned deployments to Northern Ireland, Bosnia and elsewhere will be to reduce the projected interval between emergency tours for infantry battalions, although the impact will vary from case to case. The projected intervals for the 17 battalions due to undertake emergency tours during 1993–94 will range from 17 to 82 months.

It was always recognised that the non-availability of units undergoing amalgamation or redeployment would also affect tour intervals in the short term but once the restructuring process is complete, the target tour interval of 24 months will be achieved.

Mr. Home Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many infantry soldiers currently serving on emergency tours have returned to such duties after an interval of less than 24 months; what is the shortest interval for an individual soldier; and how many of those soldiers are involved in the amalgamation of battalions under "Options for Change".

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Of the infantry battalions currently serving on emergency tours none has returned to such duties after an interval of less than 24 months—this excludes deployment to the Gulf. Tour intervals for individual soldiers would usually reflect those of their parent unit unless they have been posted between battalions in the interim.

Mr. Home Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the number of applications for redundancy by officers, non-commissioned officers and private soldiers in each infantry battalion which is commencing the process of amalgamation under "Options for Change"; and how those figures relate to the reduction in personnel required under his plans.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The closing date for applications for the second phase of the Army redundancy programme is 30 October. I will write to the hon. Member once this period is over and my Department has had an opportunity to assess the response.