§ Mr. ColvinTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his estimate of the impact of the strategic defence review on the personnel strengths of the armed forces. [49599]
§ Mr. George RobertsonAs a result of the Strategic Defence Review, we will increase the size of the Army establishment by 3,300 personnel. Once full manning has been achieved, the net effect of the Review on the Royal Navy's Regular manpower will be a reduction of some 1,400, and the net effect on Regular RAF manpower will be broadly neutral. We intend to achieve full manning in the Royal Air Force by 2000, in the Royal Navy by 2002 and in the Army around 2004.
The Territorial Army will be reduced from around 56,000 to around 40,000 but we will make it more relevant and usable. The Royal Naval Reserve will increase by 350 personnel. No change is planned to the strength of the Royal Marines Reserve. The Reserve Air Forces will increase by 270 posts.