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Royal Irish Regiment (Home Service)

It does make sense, but before I retort in my usual way to some of the issues to which the hon. Gentleman pointedly referred, I thank him for his earlier comments. There was a request and issues were raised about the possibility of retaining incremental companies. The Army looked at that possibility and rejected it. It was not rejected as a result of some political overlay. The Army did not believe it to be the appropriate way forward. We have taken best military advice on this. I point to the £10,000 bounty, which is very considerable. For many of these soldiers, the transition from what they are currently doing to the regular Army would not be difficult. There would have to be retraining, there would be issues associated with full evac and the future Army lay-down in Northern Ireland—a garrison 5,000-strong is planned—would have to be borne in mind. Therefore, there could be many of the elements for which the hon. Gentleman is asking. The hon. Member for South Staffordshire (Sir Patrick Cormack) asked whether everyone who applies will get their wish. That will depend on the factors at the time, but we could effectively have what the hon. Gentleman is asking for if those people make that choice. There is nothing to stop them doing so, and, if they wish, many hundreds could do what the hon. Gentleman wants to see happen.