HC Deb 18 December 1968 vol 775 c1377
32. Mr. Allason

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a further statement on the future of the Territorial and Army Volunteer Reserve III.

Mr. Reynolds

I have nothing to add to my statement on 28th November.—[Vol. 774, c. 739–48.]

Mr. Allason

What recognition, financial or otherwise, does the Minister propose to reward those who have served Her Majesty through this year in the TAVR III?

Mr. Reynolds

Awards for service in the reserve volunteer Forces are well known, of course, to the hon. Member. I have no other proposals.

Rear-Admiral Morgan Giles

Does the Minister consider that the Government's provision of military reserves is now sufficient to completely set at rest General Lemnitzer's worry about complacency among N.A.T.O. nations?

Mr. Reynolds

The hon. and gallant Member was here when I spoke on Monday, when I said that we were adequately able to meet our commitments in Europe with the present reserves and present Regular Forces. That position is improving as our withdrawal from other parts of the world continues.

Mr. Rippon

Would the right hon. Gentleman realise that we, of course, regarded his speech on Monday as just as unsatisfactory as his answers today?