HC Deb 03 December 1974 vol 882 cc446-7W
Mr. Ronald Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the report of the TAVR Review Committee.

Mr. Robert C. Brown

The review committee, under the chairmanship of Major General J. H. S. Majury, was set up last year to ensure that the organisation and working of the Territorial and Army Volunteer Reserve were the best and most efficient possible within currently defined rôles and tasks. I am grateful for its thorough and valuable report. The report is a detailed and comprehensive document containing a large number of recommendations, the majority of which have already been accepted and are being put into effect. I can now say that the remaining recommendations, with the exception of those concerning bounties, which remain under study, and certain minor organisational matters which were found to be impracticable, have been accepted and will be implemented. In particular, the unit reorganisations proposed, mostly affecting the infantry and designed to improve geographical spread and recruiting, will be completed in time for the main training season next summer. Taken together, the various improvements resulting from the report should ensure that the TAVR becomes an even more effective partner to the Regular Army.