§ Mr. BrazierTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the readiness time for 5 Airborne Brigade; and what is the estimated deployment time for 16 Air Assault Brigade. [82347]
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§ Mr. Doug Henderson[holding answer 27 April 1999]: Under current plans, 5 Airborne Brigade will cease to exist on 1 September 1999, and the command of the Airborne Battle Group will transfer to 16 Air Assault Brigade. The Airborne Battle Group will be maintained at the same very high readiness by 16 Assault Brigade as it is currently maintained by 5 Airborne Brigade. I am withholding more detailed information on readiness states under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.