Written question asked by Mark Francois (Conservative) on Friday, 20 July 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 October 2001. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Monday, 15 October 2001 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to reduce the size of the (a) regular and (b) Territorial Army beyond the levels envisaged in the Strategic Defence Review.

Answer: Mr. Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to reduce the size of the (a) regular and (b) Territorial Army beyond the levels envisaged in the Strategic Defence Review. [6990] Mr. Ingram: Decisions were taken in the Strategic Defence Review about the size and structure of the Army, which included the creation of a sixth deployable brigade and a second line of communication. It is intended to man the Army to achieve this, and it will require an increase in its strength from current levels. The extent of the increase will depend in part on the outcome of on-going studies into the best ways of delivering the military capability required of the Army. There are no plans to reduce the Territorial Army below the size announced in November 1998.

Secondary information