HC Deb 14 July 1999 vol 335 c225W
Mr. Keith Simpson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the average interval between operational tours for (i) Infantry battalions, (ii) Royal Armoured regiments, (iii) Royal Logistical Corps units, (iv) Adjutant-General Corps units and (v) Royal Army Medical Corps units. [85914]

Mr. Doug Henderson

[holding answer 8 June 1999]In the past three years, tour intervals (in months) for Infantry battalions, Royal Armoured regiments, Royal Logistical Corps units and Royal Army Medical Corps units have been as follows:

Arm/service 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99
Infantry 21 22 27
Royal Armoured Corps 25 19 30
Royal Logistical Corps 18 18 12
Royal Army Medical Corps
Field Ambulance 24 37 30
Field Hospital 12 12 12

The Adjutant General Corps deploy as individuals, rather than in units and there are therefore no recorded unit tour intervals.

For the current year (1999–2000), the interval would depend on the circumstances of the individual unit and the overall level of commitment; however, if there is a continuation of existing levels of commitment and undermanning this would be likely to result in tour intervals (in months) for 1999–2000 as follows:

Arm/service 1999–2000
Infantry 15
Royal Armoured Corps 12
Royal Logistical Corps 11
Royal Army Medical Corps
Field Ambulance 20
Field Hospital 12

These statistics reflect an unprecedented level of commitment. We are actively seeking to reduce the Army's level of commitment, specifically in Bosnia, and particularly for those arms and services that are most heavily committed, with a view to reducing overstretch.

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