HC Deb 03 November 1998 vol 318 cc444-5W
Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the British Army regiments currently deployed in Northern Ireland, indicating the number attached to each and the estimated duration of their tour of duty; and if he will make a statement on planned deployment during the next 12 months providing there is no unforeseen change in the security context. [56397]

Mr. George Robertson

The British Army Infantry Battalions—and one Royal Marine Commando— currently committed to Northern Ireland are listed in the table, along with their strength and planned tour length:

Strength
Army (General Service) 110,873
Royal Air Force 1,152
Royal Navy 321
The Royal Irish Regiment (Home Service Full Time) 2,627
The Royal Irish Regiment (Home Service Part Time) 1,961
Total 16,934
1Includes the Province Reserve Battalion and the Urban Reinforcement Battalion which are fully committed to Northern Ireland although only one company of each was deployed to the Province as at30September 1998. Also includes the Rural Reinforcement Battalion which was committed but not deployed at that time

Note:

Figures as at 30 September 1998

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British Army and RIR barracks are maintained in Northern Ireland; if he will cost and itemise major works projects(a) completed over the last 12 months and (b) already under way, initiated or committed in the next 12 months. [56398]

Mr. George Robertson

There are currently 44 bases used by the British Army including the Royal Irish Regiment, in Northern Ireland which are occupied by a platoon or more of troops. These include bases which are exclusively military or which are shared with the RUC. It does not include RUC stations which have a token military presence, surveillance towers, observation posts, Permanent Vehicle Check Points (PVCPs), or patrol bases which were previously PVCPs.

A continual programme of maintenance and development exists to keep the Army estate in good operational order. Within the last 12 months 7 major works projects costing £300,000 or more have been completed at a total value of £21.415m. These projects were at the following locations:

£ million
Location Cost
Thiepval Barracks 2.612
Massereene Barracks (3 projects) 13.821
Hollywood 2.253
Ballykinler 1.184
New Barnsley 2.545

There are currently 29 major works projects costing £300,000 or more, with a total value of £54.696m, under way, initiated or committed in the next 12 months. These projects are at the following locations:

£ million
Location Cost
Ballykinler (4 projects) 4.067
Drumadd 0.960
Omagh (3 projects) 8.500
Ballykelly (3 projects) 3.570
Aldergrove (4 projects) 13.000
Hollywood (3 projects) 3.595
Kinnegar 2.500
Thiepval Barracks (7 projects) 14.080
Magilligan 3.174
Mahon Barracks (2 projects) 1.250