FUTURE OF THE LAST TWO WELSH TERRITORIAL ARMY INFANTRY BATTALIONS

Early day motion 1534, tabled 9 July 1998 by Lord Livsey of Talgarth (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 30 members.

That this House recognises the crucial role the Welsh units of the Territorial Army play in Wales, and in UK armed forces as a whole; notes that the two Welsh battalions, which are closely linked to the two Regular Welsh regiments, may be lost in the Strategic Defence Review; accepts that the two battalions of the Territorial Army in Wales, the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Wales in the south, and the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Welch Fusiliers in the North, if reduced would leave no effective Territorial Army in Wales, the Territorial Army having been cut in previous reviews; notes that with a population of 5 per cent. of the UK Wales recruits 8 per cent. of the nation's service people; further notes that cutting the Territorial Army in Wales would seriously undermine the Army's future ability to recruit in Wales at all, to the detriment of the UK armed forces; recognises that the contribution of the military bands of the last two Territorial Army battalions in Wales are of a very high musical standard; and calls upon Her Magesty's Government to secure the future of these Territorial Army battalions, which are integral to the armed forces in Wales, in the Strategic Defence Review.

Signatures by party: Labour 12, Conservative 7, Liberal Democrat 7, Plaid Cymru 4.