RENDEL COMMENTS ON ARMY CHANGES

2.51.07pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 16th Dec 2004

Commenting on today's announcement by the Secretary of State for Defence on army reorganisation, David Rendel MP said:

"The precise implications of these changes are still unclear. It is disappointing if this means that the Berkshire name will be dropped.

"However, I am appalled by the behaviour of the Conservatives on this issue. Under the last Tory government regular army numbers were cut and the local regiment was amalgamated as a cost-cutting measure. It is the height of hypocrisy to criticise today's proposals given their own record in power.

"The main point is to ensure that our armed forces - who do a magnificent job - have the resources they need to perform the tasks they are asked to do. There is evidence that this has not been the case in Iraq, and we must make sure that the same does not happen in the future."

ENDS