Army (Readiness to Change) (Hansard, 20 February 1997)

§ Mr. Portillo

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw pact, we can assume that we would have longer warning of any re-emerging threat to the UK or western Europe by conventional forces. On the other hand, recent events have underlined that it is important that we should be able to dispatch forces rapidly to deal with crises elsewhere.

In response, I have decided to shift the balance of investment in the Army further towards those units required to be at higher operational readiness. The changes build on the one army concept by taking account of the synergy between regular and reserve units.

For the two parachute battalions in the joint rapid deployment force, the present enhancement of some 105 Gurkhas will finish in 2000. The strengths of each battalion will then be increased by some 60 posts. With effect from 1 April this year, arrangements will be made to provide dedicated manpower and equipment for the Pathfinders—5 Airborne Brigade's reconnaissance platoon.

I have also decided to increase the manning levels of two of our three multiple-launch rocket system regiments by some 100 posts each to ensure they are fully ready to deploy without the need for reinforcement from elsewhere in the Army. The third regiment will not be required for short-notice operations. I have therefore decided that it should be transferred to the Territorial Army, in place of one of its two FH 70—155mm howitzer—artillery regiments. Consequently, the TA will be equipped with one of the Army's most modern and powerful equipments.

At the same time, we now assess that the majority of the TA will not be required for short-notice operations as formed units. Those units can therefore be moved to more extended readiness. That will not, however, reduce the scope for TA personnel to take part as individuals, or in small teams, in a wide range of operations. That is demonstrated by their significant and invaluable contribution in Bosnia. Furthermore, opportunities for individuals will be significantly improved by the Reserve Forces Act 1996. There will be no change to the establishment levels of the TA, or to the TA's vital role in deploying as formed units in a major crisis. We shall, however, be able to reduce the numbers required to be fully trained, while protecting training and activity levels across the whole range from individual to formation training. Certain specialist units will remain at higher readiness.

Some adjustments will also be made to the manning and equipment of the 12 regular light-roled national defence battalions to bring them in line with current requirements.