§ Mr. BarnesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British soldiers are part of the British Army of the Rhine; and what was the total cost of their military presence in the last financial year for which figures are available. [50254]
§ Dr. Reid[holding answer 14 July 1998]: The British Army of the Rhine is no longer in existence. The British Army in Germany consists of the 1st (UK) Armoured Division, a Combat Service Support Group and a Support Command, with some other minor units.
As at 31 May 1998, there were some 23,800 posts directly administered or associated with the Army garrisoned in Germany. This excludes the various NATO headquarters and other posts distinct from the garrisons, but includes those troops who are based in Germany and deployed elsewhere, for example the Former Yugoslavia. The cost of these forces during 1997–98 was some £1,139 million.
The Strategic Defence Review has examined ways to achieve a better balance between forces based in Britain and Germany. We have concluded that we should remove some 2,500 troops as part of the wider restructuring of the Army. This will take some years to complete.