PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
UK LAND COMMAND'S NORTHERN DIVISION HEADQUARTERS (11 May 1998)

That this House recognises that United Kingdom Land Command is considering merging its Scottish District with its 2nd Division, based in York; notes that almost 11,000 out of the 13,000 regular soldiers under these two headquarters currently serve under the York command, with the balance under the Scottish District; notes that 12 per cent. of Army recruits come from Scotland compared with 39 per cent. from northern England; acknowledges the vital contribution made by the Keeping the Army in the Public Eye campaign to Army recruitment and therefore stresses the importance of retaining a two star headquarters in the Army's recruiting heartland in the North of England; recognises the importance of Scottish regiments and military traditions in Scotland, and the case for the two star general to carry out ceremonial and representational duties in the Scottish capital for the same reasons that a two star general is required in London; reminds the House that the great North of England regiments and military traditions are just as important to northern England as the Scottish traditions are to Scotland; and calls for United Kingdom Land Command to retain a two star headquarters in York.

Sponsored by:
Sir Hugh Bayley (Labour)