Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his policy is on the future strength, structure and basing of the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment.

The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment has a regimental headquarters and three battalions, two Regular (1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment and 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment) and one Reserve (4th Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment).

The regimental headquarters is based in Fulwood Barracks, Preston, which is planned for disposal under the Better Defence Estate Strategy in 2022. A future location for the regimental headquarters will be determined following a process of detailed assessment and planning.

The 1st Battalion will remain a Light Infantry battalion. It is currently planned that its regular liability will grow from around 560 to 630 by 2025. On return from Cyprus in 2018, it will be based in Dale Barracks, Chester before, on current plans rotating back to Cyprus in 2022.

As announced by written ministerial statement on 15 December 2016 (HCWS367), The 2nd Battalion will be assigned to the Army's new Specialist Infantry role and joins the Headquarters Specialist Infantry Group in 2019. Under current plans its liability will change from around 560 to 270, with the balance being reinvested in other areas. It will be based in Aldershot, from 2020.

The 4th Battalion will remain a Reserve Light Infantry battalion with its headquarters in Preston and other companies in Liverpool, Blackburn, Carlisle and Manchester. It is currently planned to grow this Reserve liability from around 400 to 500 by 2025.