§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what establishment strength of the Army was set under the Strategic Defence Review. [49746]
§ Mr. IngramThe Strategic Defence Review did not set a figure for the size of the Army. A decision was made, however, to increase the Army's manpower requirement by some 3,300 posts to reflect the inclusion of a sixth deployable brigade and a second line of communication. It remains our intention to man the Army to achieve this, although the overall manpower requirement is dynamic and subject to continuing review in light of evolving doctrine, new technology and equipment and possible changes to the operating environment.