Speeches

Douglas Chapman – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Chapman on 2015-11-03.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 20 October 2015 to Questions 11484, on Army: Scotland, for what reasons the figures cited for 6 SCOTS and 7 SCOTS do not reflect the general increase in reserve numbers forecast in the Future Reserves 2020 programme.

Mr Julian Brazier

It is assumed that the question relates to the reduction in the establishment figures for 6 and 7 SCOTS. These changes reflect the move to a standard structure for all reserve infantry battalions with three companies rather than four as part of the Future Reserves 2020 programme.

In practice Army Reserve manning levels have been historically below establishment. Actual numbers are now increasing in 6 and 7 SCOTS, as they are across the Army Reserve.

The following table shows the manning levels of the reserve battalions of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, complete with establishment and strength as at April of each year between 2004 and 2014.

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

52nd Lowland Regiment/6 SCOTS

392

452

406

406

406

406

406

406

406

406

367

273

278

280

182

216

190

196

186

155

160

188

51st Highland Regiment/7 SCOTS

557

656

627

471

472

471

472

472

472

472

367

390

425

425

338

294

253

262

191

237

205

270

Unit details are single service estimates only and have not been produced by Defence Statistics.