HC Deb 03 July 2002 vol 388 cc321-2W
Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which armoured regiments have been at(a) high readiness, (b) training year and (c) other tasks in each of the past three years. [66027]

Mr. Ingram

It is assumed that reference to armoured regiments refers to Royal Armoured Corps (RAC) tank regiments and not Armoured Infantry (IA) Battalions. Those regiments that have been at(a) high readiness, (b) training year and (c) other tasks in each of the past three years are shown in the tables:

Formation readiness cycle(FRC) Armoured tank regiment
2002
High readiness The Royal Dragoon Guards (RDG)King's Royal Hussars (KRH)
Training Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (SCOTS DG) Queen's Royal Lancers (QRL)
Other tasks The Queen's Royal Hussars (QRH) 2 Royal Tank Regiment(2 RTR)
2001
High Rediness The Queen's Royal Hussars (QRH) 2 Royal Tank Regiment (2 RTR)
Training The Royal Dragoon Guards (RDG)King's Royal Hussars (KRH)
Other tasks Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (SCOTS DG) Queen's Royal Lancers (QRL)
20011
High Readiness Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (SCOTS DG)
Training The Queen's Royal Hussars (QRH)
1 The Formation Readiness Cycle (FRC) as a mechanism to deliver these units at readiness was in its infancy in 2000, hence the declaration of just two armoured regiments, rather than the full six.

Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the Royal Armoured Corps is at establishment strength in personnel. [66026]

Mr. Ingram

The establishment and strength of the Royal Armoured Corps (RAC) and the Household Cavalry (HCAV) as at 1 May 2002 is detailed in the table:

Trained strength against liability for HCAV/RAC as at 1 May 2002
Officer Soldier Total
Liability 855 5,023 5,878
Strength 835 4,940 5,775
Difference –20 –83 –103
Difference (percentage) –2.3 –1.7 –1.8

Manning statistics for the RAC are currently grouped with the HCAV. Work is in progress to provide separate totals for the HCAV and the RAC. I will write to the hon. Member when these figures are available and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.