HC Deb 28 April 1999 vol 330 c156W
Mr. Brazier

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date 16 Air Assault Brigade will become operationally effective. [82342]

Mr. Doug Henderson

[holding answer 27 April 1999]: 24 Airmobile Brigade is due to be re-named 16 Air Assault Brigade on 1 September 1999 when it will take over command of the very high readiness Airborne Battle Group from 5 Airborne Brigade. 16 Air Assault Brigade will remain operationally effective in the Airmobile role and the Airborne Battle Group will continue to be operationally effective throughout. 16 Air Assault Brigade will not be fully operationally effective in the Air Assault role until the new Westland Attack Helicopter is brought into service. The Brigade's Attack Helicopter Regiments should all be operationally effective by mid-2004.

Mr. Brazier

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date 5 Airborne Brigade Headquarters will cease to be an airborne headquarters. [82341]

Mr. Doug Henderson

[holding answer 27 April 1999]: It is currently planned that 5 Airborne Brigade Headquarters will cease to be an airborne headquarters on 1 September 1999 and it will be re-named Headquarters 12 Mechanised Brigade and start training in this new role.

Mr. Brazier

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the Paralogistic Battalion is due to disband; and what logistic unit will replace it. [82343]

Mr. Doug Henderson

[holding answer 27 April 1999]: 5 Airborne Brigade's Paralogistic Battalion is due to disband on 1 September 1999. Some parachute trained personnel will transfer on this date to 16 Air Assault Brigade's Logistic Regiment and Field Workshop to support 16 Air Assault Brigade's very high readiness Airborne Battle Group. The remainder will form the nucleus of the new 12 Mechanised Brigade's Logistic Squadrons and Equipment Support Companies.