What representations he has made to Cabinet colleagues regarding safeguarding the names of the Royal Welch Fusiliers and the Royal Regiment of Wales.

The executive committee of the Army Board took the decision to rename a large number of regiments. I am sympathetic to the questions that have been raised in many quarters and suggest that hon. Members write to the executive committee with their concerns.

May I draw the Secretary of State's attention to early-day motion 566, which is supported by every political party in Wales and others? The issue is, of course, whether the Royal Welch Fusiliers, the Royal Regiment of Wales and the Royal Welsh Regiment can maintain their identities by keeping their cap badges and so on. Will the Secretary of State have a word with his Cabinet colleagues between now and the end of the month, because an all-party group is going to see the Secretary of State for Defence on 8 February? Those honourable regiments have many decades of history, and we need to keep them. The decision will adversely affect recruitment.

Order. That question is far too long.

Apart from his point about recruitment, I agree with the hon. Gentleman and understand the points that he is making. It is important not to forget that, on the whole, the restructuring has been quite positive for Wales—for example, the number of Welsh battalions has not been reduced, the number of Welsh soldiers has not been cut and the role of Wales's two famous regiments has not been diminished. The hon. Gentleman knows that those regiments retain their unique identities within the new, larger Welsh regiments, and regimental traditions, cultures, local connections and so on will be maintained within the new arrangements. I have discussed the matter in detail with the Secretary of State for Defence and urge the hon. Gentleman to take my earlier advice and make representations to the executive committee of the Army Board, which was responsible for the decision.

My right hon. Friend knows that my constituents have strong feelings about the proposed name changes. Last Friday, I met ex-service personnel, including members of the Royal Welch Fusiliers Comrades Association. Does my right hon. Friend agree that ex-service personnel should be consulted directly on any future name changes, because they are best placed to preserve the strong traditions and hiraeth of Welsh regiments?

I agree with the sentiment expressed by my hon. Friend and am aware of the important history and current role of the Royal Welch Fusiliers. His constituents in Anglesey have made a big contribution to the Royal Welch Fusiliers, and I urge him to make representations to the executive committee of the Army Board, which was responsible for the original recommendation.

Before the all-party group meets the Secretary of State for Defence, will the Secretary of State for Wales sort out the misinformation that the Welsh regiments did not ask to be treated on a similar basis to the Scottish regiments, because we know that the colonel of the Royal Welch Fusiliers wrote to General Sir Michael Jackson about that very issue?

I have been advised that the Army Board took advice from senior military leaders in Wales, but, given the reaction, the hon. Gentleman's point should be heard.

The Secretary of State is a man of influence and some charm. Surely he can prevail upon the top brass to do something as simple as removing a few sets of brackets, because for some of us that is all the issue boils down to.

Apart from his point about influence and charm, my hon. Friend has made his case eloquently. The Secretary of State for Defence is aware of the feelings of Welsh Members of Parliament, and he has listened. The executive committee of the Army Board is the appropriate place to make any representations.

The Army Board clearly took the advice of the colonel commandant of the Prince of Wales Division, who may well have made a mistake. Will the Secretary of State persuade the Secretary of State for Defence to listen to Major-General Brian Plummer, who is colonel of the regiment, so that Wales is treated equally to Scotland?

Given the feeling in Wales, the executive committee of the Army Board should listen to such figures and others, and I am sure that that is what will happen.

I hear what my right hon. Friend says about the executive committee, but can he explain a little further what representations have been made and what discussions have taken place between the generals on the board and various organisations in Wales? I am sure that he is aware of the great disquiet among the Welsh public about what we term a mistake.

I understand the strong feelings that my hon. Friend expresses. As I said, I have discussed the matter with the Secretary of State for Defence, who is well aware of those considerations. I am sure that the executive committee of the Army Board will want to look closely at any representations that are made.