Written question asked by Paul Keetch (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 31 October 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 8 November 2000. It was answered by Lord Spellar (Labour) on Wednesday, 8 November 2000 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer of 30th October, Official Report, 355 c276W, what percentage of Army commitment and what interval between deployments his Department assesses to be optimal in order for overstretch to be alleviated; and if he will make a statement. - (Holding answer 6 November 2000).

Answer: Mr. Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 30 October 2000, Official Report, column 276W, what percentage of Army commitment and what interval between deployments his Department assesses to be optimal in order for overstretch to be alleviated; and if he will make a statement. [136743] Mr. Spellar: [holding answer 6 November 2000]: We concluded during the Strategic Defence Review process that for the Army, six-month operational tours and an average interval between tours of 24 months are optimum for operational effectiveness and retention. We do not identify an optimum percentage figure for commitment levels, which are a reflection of operational deployments. Whether such deployments are sustainable depends on a number of factors, including the nature of the task and duration of the commitment, which are not reflected in overall percentage figures on commitment levels.

Secondary information