On 4 July, during a debate in the House of Commons, Mr Reid had hinted at possible reductions in forces, saying that, "By and large, about 12 [of 18] of the provinces are relatively free of terrorist attacks."
7月4日に、下院での討論中に、リード氏は「全般的に見て、（18のうち）約12の県は比較的テロリストの攻撃と無縁だ」と述べて、軍隊の縮小の可能性をほのめかした。