| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
21 July 2009 : Column 1194W—continued
The figures have been rounded to the nearest five to limit disclosure and ensure confidentiality.
Army: Manpower
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what the (a) required and (b) actual personnel medically fit for purpose strength is for each battalion of the infantry; [280814]
(2) what the (a) required, (b) actual and (c) fit for duty strength of each infantry battalion is. [284527]
Bill Rammell: The Army's manning situation is improving fast due to a number of factors including the introduction of exceptional action measures, financial incentives, improved marketing and the current economic situation. However, there will be fluctuations in the strength of individual battalions, according to their planned duties at any specific time.
'Required strength' has been interpreted as the maximum number of posts in a battalion's peace time configuration.
'Actual strength' has been interpreted as the number of personnel assigned to a battalion for its planned duties. It will also include augmentees who are temporarily assigned if needed to support the role of the battalion (for operational military tasks and events that cannot be achieved within required strengths). Similarly, the figures exclude those assigned out of the battalion to augment other units.
'Fit for duty' has been interpreted as fit for primary role, including personnel listed as having limited deployability, plus personnel who are unfit for deployment but who can perform a role in an alternative capacity. The difference between the actual strength and number fit for duty represents those who are medically non-effective, i.e. are unfit for any form of duty.
'Medically fit for purpose' has been interpreted as fit for primary role, including personnel listed as having limited deployability, but excluding those who are not fit to deploy and those who are medically non-effective for any form of duty.
The figures requested are shown in the following tables:
| Division | Unit | Required strength | Actual strength | Number fit for duty | Number medically fit for purpose |
In addition to the battalions shown above there are three incremental Guards companies which are primarily for public duties but which can also be used to augment the other Guards battalions as required;
| Unit | Required strength | Actual strength | Number fit for duty | Number medically fit for purpose |
The figures in both tables include personnel filling all roles within each battalion, not just infantrymen.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |