§ 14. Mr. Buckasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will introduce legislation to enable Royal Navy and Royal Marine reservists to undertake the same obligations and receive the same benefits as apply to the TAVR.
§ Mr. JuddI intend to await the outcome of the defence review announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 21st March and the review of the Royal Naval Reserve which was authorised by the hon. Gentleman and his colleagues in the previous administration before taking a decision on the requirement for such legislation.
§ Mr. BuckI understand the hon. Gentleman's reluctance to act, but surely there is an anomaly here which need not await the outcome of the reviews. The anomaly is that at the moment Royal Naval reservists and Royal Marine reservists cannot get the extra £60 a year bounty. That is a small matter, and the Bill is prepared. Why cannot the Minister introduce it? There is plenty of time.
§ Mr. JuddThe hon. Gentleman had plenty of time in which to introduce it. I am fully aware of the operational, morale and recruiting arguments for placing the Royal Naval reserves and the Royal Marine reserves on the same footing as the TAVR, and I appreciate the hon. Gentleman's new-found concern. I took these considerations into account before reaching my decision.
§ Mr. BuckThe hon. Gentleman talks of my new-found concern. He has a well-founded Bill showing my concern. It is all ready for him. If he brought it in now, he would have full support from the Opposition.
§ Mr. JuddIf the hon. Gentleman was so keen on legislation, why did he establish a review and not take action himself?