Letter from the Ministry of Defence

R S Vearnals 30 Otterburn Place Offerton Stockport SK2 5LD	Your Reference   Our Reference RP-08-01   Date 2 June 2005
Thank you for your letter to John Reid about the Scottish Regiments and infantry restructuring. I have been asked to reply to your letter. I understand the concerns that you outline in your letter and the sensitivities surrounding this debate and would like to assure you that all of the arguments you present have been taken into account, and that we have been aware of all the concerns of all the interested parties. A wide-ranging and detailed consultation exercise was carried out on the subject of the Future Infantry Structure. Serving members of the infantry, (and of the Army as a whole), Members of Parliament, yourself and other concerned members of the public have all played a part in this, ensuring that the interests of all infantry regiments have been taken into account. Ministers and the Army are confident that the decision they have taken on the future structure of the Army and Infantry is the right one: the decision to utilise the reduction of our commitments to Northern Ireland in order to strengthen key enabling capabilities is one that will help us achieve an Army structure right for the current and future strategic environment. The Future Infantry Structure is one part of this overall change and there are significant benefits to be had from the restructuring. There will, therefore, be no change to our decision to move towards larger regiments. Ministers and the Army are convinced that this is the only sustainable way forward given the decision to phase out the Infantry Arms Plot. The new Infantry structure will maximise the infantry's operational capability while at the same time delivering more stability for soldiers and their families, and retaining the best of the regimental system. The antecedent regiments themselves will play a pivotal role in determining how best to maintain their heritage. A joint formation committee will be formed for each of the new regiments being created, each committee being made up of representatives from the respective regiments. A range of regimental issues will be looked at and consideration will be given to how each antecedent regiment can be best represented within the new structure. Rest assured that the maintenance of 'golden threads' will form the basis of their recommendations. We are now beginning to move ahead with the implementation of the new structure and in doing so look forward to working with those associated with the current Scottish Regiments and those in the wider community in Scotland to support the new Royal Regiment of Scotland. I am confident that the Army, as it seeks to implement the new structure, will have every success in combining the past with the present. I hope this is helpful.