Infantry

HC Deb 17 March 1997 vol 292 cc385-6W

Mr. Pawsey

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the strength of front-line infantry for each of the past 10 years. [20363]

Mr. Soames

The figures for front-line infantry can be provided only for the past four years and are shown below.

Year	Totals
1994	28,000
1995	26,000

Year	Totals
1996	25,000
1997	24,000

Mr. Pawsey

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 11 March,Official Report, column 185, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the current front-line infantry establishment to meet its responsibilities. [20362]

Mr. Soames

The infantry is fully able to meet its responsibilities.