LONDON (AP) Britain's government has defeated attempts by rebel lawmakers to delay plans to recruit more reservists to replace regular Army soldiers.
The rebel lawmakers from the ruling Conservative Party had hoped to delay a defense reform bill, but their proposed amendment to the plans was defeated in a House of Commons vote on Wednesday.
The government wants to expand the army reserve force to 30,000 from 19,000, to make up for cutting 20,000 soldiers from the 102,000-strong regular Army within seven years.
Despite signs that reservist recruitment is missing targets, Defense Secretary Philip Hammond said he is confident of hitting the right numbers over the next five years.
