asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many volunteer reserve units there will be in future in the Highlands and north of Scotland.

The detailed location of units for the new Reserve is not yet settled but the forthcoming White Paper will explain their general distribution.

Before the White Paper is completed, will the Government consider the immense contribution which has been made by Territorial units of the Highland regiments and the divisions which they have formed? Although conditions have changed and no doubt changes will be necessary, is it not folly to disband this volunteer organisation?

We are very conscious of the great part which the Highlands have played in both the Territorial and the Regular Army and we shall bear it in mind. But I must point out to the House that the cost of recruiting and administering reservists is much higher in rural areas than it is in the towns.