§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the establishment target figure was for each battalion of the Parachute Regiment at the end of the year 2001; what the actual figures were in each case; and if he plans to cut the establishment target figures for the Parachute Regiment. [62228]
§ Mr. IngramThe establishment and trained manned strength of the three regular battalions of the Parachute Regiment as at 1 January 2002 is detailed in the table.
Establishment Strength 1 PARA 620 599 2 PARA1 686 695 3 PARA 687 712 Total 1,993 2,006 1 The figures provided for both the establishment and strength of 2 PARA do not include the Gurkha Reinforcement Company that was attached to the battalion up until 1 April 2002. Due to the reorganisation of 16 Air Assault Brigade announced in December 2001 and the inclusion of 1 PARA within the Brigade structure, it is planned to adjust the establishment of the three regular parachute battalions, towards a common figure of about 650.