HC Deb 29 July 1997 vol 299 cc183-4W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are his plans for the Gurkha regiment. [10999]

Dr. Reid

Currently, the first battalion Royal Gurkha Rifles is serving as part of the joint rapid deployment force in 5 Airborne Brigade; other elements units support the Field Army in the United Kingdom. The second battalion Royal Gurkha Rifles is deployed as the Brunei garrison. The strategic defence review, launched on 28 May, will decide how our armed forces should be structured, equipped and deployed to meet out nation's interests and commitments. It would be premature to assess the likely outcome of the review before the process is complete.