Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the veracity of recent media reports on plans to reduce the (a) number of personnel in and (b) funding received by the Parachute Regiment as part of the upcoming Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy; and if he will make a statement.

The Integrated Review will define the UK Government's ambition for the UK's role in the world and the long-term strategic aims for our national security and foreign policy. It is too early to discuss specific capabilities, but I can assure you that this country will continue to have the world class Armed Forces that it needs and deserves.