§ Mr. AllasonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the strength of the Territorial Army on 18 January 1997; and what it will be following his announcement of a reduction in strength in February 1997. [19680]
§ Mr. SoamesFigures for strength of the Territorial Army are available only for the first of each month. The total strength at 1 January 1997 was 55,899. In order to maintain the reduced requirement for trained personnel this could fall to 54,000 against an unchanged peacetime establishment of 59,000.
§ Mr. AllasonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the Territorial Army's R8 readiness of six months is compatible with the reduction in funding for units committed to supplying personnel to meet shortfalls in regular airborne strengths. [19689]
§ Mr. SoamesNo Territorial Army units are specifically committed to providing personnel to meet shortfalls in regular airborne units. However, soldiers from TA airborne units are frequently attached to their regular counterparts. There has been no reduction in funding or readiness for any of these TA units.