HL Deb 20 October 2004 vol 665 c83WA
Lord Maginnis of Drumglass

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Answer by Lord Bach on 14 September (HL Deb, col. 1021) on regimental lines, whether they consider that it is important that at least one regiment of the line should be clearly identified with each constituent area of the United Kingdom. [HL4244]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Bach)

We recognise the importance of preserving, wherever possible, regional links within the new army structure. As a practical example the 1st Battalion the Royal Irish Regiment has been exempted from the reductions in infantry on the representational grounds of retaining a line infantry footprint in Northern Ireland.