HC Deb 08 March 1999 vol 327 cc38-40W
Mr. Keith Simpson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the order of battle for Land Command(a) prior to and (b) following the Strategic Defence Review. [74057]

Mr. Doug Henderson

[holding answer 2 March 1999]: The Order of Battle for Land Command before implementation of decisions taken in the Strategic Defence Review, is two deployable divisions and six regional divisions. The deployable divisions are: 1st (United Kingdom) Armoured division based in Germany, consisting of three armoured brigades (4, 7 and 20) 3rd (United Kingdom) Division based in the UK, consisting of two mechanised brigades (1 and 19) and an airborne brigade (5).

The regional divisions are:

  • 2 Division, consisting of 15 (North East) and 49 (East) brigades
  • 4 Division, consisting of 2 (South East) and 145 (Home Counties) brigades and the deployable 24 Mobile Brigade
  • 5 Division consisting of 42 (North West), 143 (West Midlands) and 160 (Wales) Brigades
  • Scottish district consisting of 51 (Highland) and 52 (Lowland) Brigades
  • London District
  • United Kingdom Support Command (Germany).

In addition to its deployable role, 3rd (United Kingdom) Division also commands 43 (Wessex) Brigade, a regional brigade. 107 (Ulster) Brigade is a stand alone regional brigade in Northern Ireland. There is also 2 (National Communications) Signal Brigade and nine deployable brigade sized formations:

  • 1 Reconnaissance Brigade
  • Combat Service Support Group (United Kingdom)
  • Combat Service Support Group (Germany)
  • 1 Artillery Brigade
  • 7 Air Defence Brigade
  • 12 (Air Support) Engineer Brigade
  • 29 (Corps Support) Engineer Brigade
  • 1 Signal Brigade
  • 11 Signal Brigade.

In addition, there will be six overseas detachments:

  • British Army Training Unit Suffield and British Army Training Support Unit Wainwright in Canada
  • British Army Training Support Unit Belize
  • British Army Training and Liaison Staff Kenya in Nairobi
  • British Gurkhas Nepal
  • Brunei Garrison.

Following the Strategic Defence Review, the Order of Battle for Land Command will be two deployable divisions and four regional divisions, including three larger regional divisions in the UK. The deployable divisions will be: 1st(United Kingdom) Armoured division based in Germany, consisting of three armoured brigades (4, 7 and 20) 3rd (United Kingdom) Mechanised Division based in the UK, to consist of three mechanised brigades (1, 12 and 19).

The regional divisions will be:

  • 2 Division, consisting of 15 (North East), 42 (North West), 51 (Highland) and 52 (Lowland) Brigades
  • 4 Division, consisting of London District and 2 (South East), 49 (East) and 145 (Home Counties) Brigades
  • 5 Division consisting of 43 (Wessex), 145 (West Midlands) and 107 (Ulster) and 160 (Wales) Brigades
  • United Kingdom Support Command (Germany).

There will also be two (National Communications) Signal Brigade and nine deployable Brigade-sized formations. One Reconnaissance Brigade unit will be embedded with the brigades of 3rd (United Kingdom) Division. The nine deployable Brigade-size formations will therefore be:

  • 16 Air Assault Brigade
  • Combat Service Support Group (United Kingdom)
  • Combat Service Support Group (Germany)
  • 1 Artillery Brigade
  • 7 Air Defence Brigade
  • 12 (Air Support) Engineer Brigade
  • 29 (Corps Support) Engineer Brigade
  • 1 Signal Brigade
  • 11 Signal Brigade.

In addition, there will be six overseas detachments:

  • British Army Training Unit Suffield and British Army Training Support Unit Wainwright in Canada
  • British Army Training Support Unit Belize
  • British Army Training and Liaison Staff Kenya in Nairobi
  • British Gurkhas Nepal
  • Brunei Garrison.
  • Submarines (Health)