To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the (a) manpower establishments and (b) actual manning levels for each of the three regular parachute battalions. [82344]

[holding answer 27 April 1999]: The establishments and actual staffing levels for each of the three regular parachute battalions, as at 1 March 1999, are shown in the table. The figures are for UK Trained Army Personnel only, and exclude Locally Employed personnel, Royal Irish (Home Service) personnel, Reservists mobilised for duties associated with Bosnia, Full Time Reserve Service personnel, and Gurkhas (excepting the Gurkha Reinforcement Company presently attached to 2 Para).