MP voices fears for regiment

Nottinghamshire’s infantry battalion is almost 100 men under-strength, according to figures released to the House of Commons.

The 2nd Battalion (Worcesters and Foresters) the Mercian Regiment was formed last September by the amalgamation of the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters, Staffordshire and Cheshire regiments who form the other two battalions of the Mercians.

Dr Liam Fox, the Shadow Defence Secretary, asked the Secretary of State for Defence, Mr Des Browne, what the required strength, actual strength and number of personnel medically fit-for-purpose was for each battalion of the infantry.

The figures showed that the battalion’s required strength was 620, the actual strength was 555 and the fit-for-purpose was 510.

Nine soldiers were killed and 40 seriously wounded during its recent tour of Afghanistan.

The MP for Newark, Mr Patrick Mercer, a former colonel with the Foresters, said: “This is a shocking state for any infantry battalion to be in, particularly one with a recruiting area like the 2nd Battalion, the Mercian Regiment [Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Worcestershire].

“It is not the battalion’s fault. The Ministry of Defence is in denial about the state of the manning of the Army.”

An Army spokesman said: “All units deploy at the required strength for the tasks they are asked to fulfil during their operational tour.”