§ Mr. Marlowasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will consider plans for further expanding the role of the Reserve Army in such a way that regular strength can be replaced.
§ Mr. StanleyI presume my hon. Friend is referring to Regular Reserves, that is, those individuals who, having left the Regular Forces, retain a Reserve commitment. Their numbers are not therefore subject to direct Ministry of Defence control. However, we are anxious to achieve the most effective use of these personnel and have therefore recently introduced various measures to that end.