Yeomanry
14. When the Secretary of State announced the restructuring
of the TA, he also gave greater detail on the plans for the TA
contribution to Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defence. Although
the initial level of TA involvement had not been published, the
Secretary of State acknowledged the recommendation of this Committee
for an increased capability in this area—
Under initial proposals, the TA Yeomanry would have
contributed a single squadron to [the regular regiment]; but I
have decided, in light of the Defence Committee's observations,
to retain two squadrons of TA Yeomanry devoted to the support
of regular forces in that role.[60]
15. The Minister told us that the squadrons will
have two roles. First, to reinforce the regular unit wherever
they are operating and second, to make a contribution to Home
Defence in support to the Home Office. He described the latter,
though a valuable role, as not their prime responsibility.[61]
The NBC regiment will be based at Honington and will bring together
the NBC capability of the Royal Air Force, and the regular NBC
component of the Army. In times of war, the first squadron will
be an integral part of forces sent, whereas the second squadron
will train across the "waterfront" of the NBC requirement
to plug gaps both in that context and in the wider context.[62]
We welcome this move as a partial response to this Committee's
recommendation on the need for an increased NBC capability and
a modest recognition of the potential role for the TA in civil
defence against asymmetric threats[63]
to the homeland.
16. The Committee was pleased to note that the Queen's
Own Yeomanry will continue to be equipped with light armoured
vehicles,[64]
giving it a much higher level of utility than the Land Rover equipped
elements. We seek assurances from the MoD that this unit, which
has built a reputation for excellence, will continue with a full
complement of equipment.
60 HC Deb, 17 November 1998, c751 Back
61
Q 223 Back
62
Q 225 Back
63
For a detailed analysis of asymmetric threats see Eighth Report,
Session 1997-98, The Strategic Defence Review, HC 138-I,
paras 123-129 Back
64
Modern Forces for the Modern World: A Territorial Army for
the Future, Volume 1, para 11 Back
|
