MP highlights under-manning of Scottish Regiments
Yesterday evening in the House of Commons during a debate on Defence Reform, the issue of cuts to the British Army was discussed. There have been media reports that the Second Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, is to be axed – resulting in a one Battalion Regiment. John Baron MP is an ex Fusilier, having served with the Regiment during the 1980’s on a variety of tours including Berlin, Northern Ireland and Cyprus.
John said:
“Reports suggest that the 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers is to be axed, despite being one of the best recruited battalions in the British Army and forecast to remain so. Does the Minister accept that decisions about which battalions to axe should be based on the ability to recruit? In that case, the Ministry of Defence should be looking at the Scottish battalions, which consistently have trouble recruiting, with their numbers made up by English soldiers. I would suggest that no Englishman should ever be forced to wear a kilt.”
The Minister, The Rt. Hon. Nick Harvey MP, cautioned against speculation in the absence of a Statement but agreed that the long term ability to recruit is important when making such decisions.
John said afterwards:
“The remedy is to disband those Battalions and Regiments which have consistent trouble recruiting. This does lead one to consider the Scottish Regiments. I do hope political considerations, perhaps in the run up to the Scottish referendum, do not hold sway.”
Ends
Word Count: 264
Date: 27th June 2012
Notes to Editors
The Hansard Report of the debate can be found at http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmhansrd/cm120626/debtext/120626-0003.htm#120626125002330
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