§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress his Department has made in converting the 5 Airborne Brigade into a mechanised brigade; and if he will make a statement. [117493]
§ Mr. Spellar[holding answer 3 April 2000]: The headquarters of 12 Mechanised Brigade was operational by the end of December 1999 and it has already taken its armoured regiment under command. The two battalions equipped with Saxon vehicles are joining the Brigade in April this year and the armoured infantry battalion joins in August this year.