Oral Answers to Questions

Nick Smith Excerpts

Monday 24th May 2021 Commons Chamber

[Jeremy Quin]

I am glad my hon. Friend used the phrase he did. I think we are all aware, and his constituents will be aware, that we need to keep our brave air crews safe from harm as they go out every day to keep us safe, and that they get to that level of proficiency through training. I am sure he will accept that and so will his constituents. However, we always want to do that causing the minimum amount of inconvenience and disturbance. I will willingly meet my hon. Friend to discuss the issue.

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

  Can the Secretary of State say how many infantry battalions have less than 70% fully deployable soldiers?

[Mr Wallace]

I can write to the hon. Gentleman in detail if he would like. Does he mean deployable or does he mean trade trained strength, because there are a number of different measures? Most soldiers who are trade trained are deployable unless they are on a course. I can give him the exact percentages, but we measure them mainly in trade trained; whether they are trained, whether they are in depot or whether they are in their battalion doing active duty.