London Irish Rifles Company

HC Deb 08 February 1999 vol 325 c22W

Mr. Letwin

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements have been made to assure the continuity of the London Irish Rifles Company. [69485]

Mr. Doug Henderson

The London Irish Rifles will form part of the new London Battalion, which is part of the new structure for the Territorial Army announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 17 November 1998,Official Report,columns 749–71. The London Battalion, which has yet to be given formal name, will have 6 companies with a total strength of some 658 volunteers. The intention is that the units that will make up the London Battalion will be able to retain their capbadge affiliations within the new structure, if they so wish.