Bill Rammell (Minister of State (Armed Forces), Ministry of Defence; Harlow, Labour)

The figures requested are provided in the following tables.

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. This information is provided in the following table.

The figures in both tables include personnel filling all roles within each battalion, not just infantrymen.

"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 task" has been interpreted as fit to deploy for any form of duty on deployment, including personnel listed as having limited deployability. The difference between the actual strength and number fit for task represents those who are non-deployable because they are non-available for a combat role or non-effective (for example, due to medical reasons).