§ Mr. DonaldsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what the total combined strength of the Home Service Battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment had been for(a) part-time and (b) full-time soldiers in each year since its formation; [80661]
(2) how many (a) part-time and (b) full-time soldiers are enlisted with each of the Home Service Battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment. [80660]
§ Dr. MoonieThe Royal Irish Regiment was formed from the amalgamation of the Royal Irish Rangers and the Ulster Defence Regiment on 1 July 1992. The combined strength of the Home Service Battalions as at that date for each year since its formation is included in the table:
Year Full-time Part-time 1992 2,854 2,640 1993 2,831 2,611 1994 2,842 2,385 1995 2,876 2,197 1996 2,775 2,023 1997 2,614 1,974 1998 2,576 1,961 1999 2,257 1,866 2000 2,163 1,713 2001 2,019 1,603 2002 1,846 1,458 There are currently three Home Service Battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment in Northern Ireland. As at 1 October 2002, the number of part-time and full-time personnel, in each Home Service Battalion is set out in the table. 38W
Full-time Part-time 2 R Irish 558 385 3 R Irish 697 573 4 R Irish 606 478 All figures do not include those R Irish employed at Headquarters and Depot R Irish.