HC Deb 27 July 1999 vol 336 c204W
Mr. Livsey

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Welsh Colonels have served in the Royal Regiment of Wales during the past 10 years. [93324]

Mr. Doug Henderson

In the period between 1989 and 1999, there have been eight Commanding Officers in the Royal Regiment of Wales. It is not mandatory for serving personnel to provide details of their ethnic origin and when they do those details are given on a confidential basis. It would not therefore be appropriate to provide details on an individual basis, but I understand that four of the Commanding Officers in the period have classified themselves as Welsh.

Mr. Livsey

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Welsh Commanding Officers are serving in the Royal Regiment of Wales. [93323]

Mr. Doug Henderson

Since 1 July 1999, there has been only one Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Wales, and consequently only one Commanding Officer. It is not mandatory for serving personnel to provide details of their ethnic origin and when they do those details are given on a confidential basis.