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Ministry of Defence

Answer

Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the British Army regiments currently deployed in Northern Ireland, indicating the number attached to each and the estimated duration of their tour of duty; and if he will make a statement on planned deployment during the next 12 months providing there is no unforeseen change in the security context. [56397] Mr. George Robertson: The British Army Infantry Battalions--and one Royal Marine Commando-- currently committed to Northern Ireland are listed in the table, along with their strength and planned tour length: _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Unit Strength Length of tour The 1st Battalion The Scots Guards 569 2 years--until March 2000 The 1st Battalion The Royal Welch Fusiliers 566 2 years--until August 2000 The 2nd Battalion The Light Infantry 623 2 years--until March 1999 The 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of 605 2 years--until May 1999 Fusiliers The 1st Battalion The Queen's Lancashire 606 2 years--until December 1999 Regiment The 1st Battalion The Argyll and Sutherland 609 2 years--until March 1999 Highlanders (Princess Louise's){1} 42 Commando Royal Marines 577 6 months--until March 1999 The 1st Battalion The Staffordshire Regiment 552 6 months--until November 1998 (The Prince of Wales) The 12th Regiment Royal Artillery 403 6 months--until October 1998 The 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of 545 6 months--until December 1998 Wales--Prince of Wales Division The 39th Regiment Royal Artillery{2} 277 6 months--until January 1999 The 1st Battalion The Highlanders (Seaforth, 510 6 months--until December 1998 Gordons and Camerons) (Scottish Division) _________________________________________________________________________________________________. {1} The 1st Battalion The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and the 39th Regiment Royal Artillery, the respectively Province Reserve Battalion and the Urban Reinforcement Battalion, are fully committed to Northern Ireland, although only one company of each was deployed in the Province at 30 September 1998. The 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Wales, the Rural Reinforcement Battalion, is also fully committed to Northern Ireland but was not deployed in the Province at that time. Note: Figures as at 30 September 1998 In addition, there are 6 Home Service battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment, totalling 4,431 soldiers, comprising both full-time and part-time members, which are wholly committed to service in Northern Ireland.The security situation is kept under constant review and the level of Army support to the Royal Ulster Constabulary adjusted accordingly in line with their requirements. However, it is the Department's policy not to disclose details of future deployments to the Province.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

318 c444W; 56397

Session

1997-98

Subjects

Army Deployment Staff

Contains statistics

Yes