§ 24. Mr. ColvinTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the percentage cut in the regular armed forces and in the reserves since "Options for Change"; and what reductions are planned for the next five years.
§ Mr. HanleyBetween 1 April 1990 and 1 January 1994, the total strengths of the regular and volunteer reserve forces reduced by 15.6 per cent. and 149.5 per cent. respectively. On current plans, a further reduction of 5.1 per cent. in the strength of the regular forces will be made by 1 April 1995. These figures exclude the former Ulster Defence Regiment, which was part of the volunteer reserve forces until it formed the home service battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment on 1 July 1992 and became part of the regular forces. At the present time, it is not possible to forecast any further changes in the manpower levels in the regular or volunteer reserve forces.