§ 5. Mr. Neil Thorneasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he has any further information about bringing gratuities and pensions of reservists killed on duty into line with those paid to regular Service men.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Royal Navy (Mr. Keith Speed)The review which my hon. Friend announced on 27 November is not yet complete. When it is I shall make an announcement.
§ Mr. ThorneMay I thank my hon. Friend for that reply? Does he agree that the Territorial Army and the other reserve forces do so much for the defence of the realm at such little cost that they deserve a better deal? Is he aware that reservists have substantially to contribute out of their own funds towards supplementary insurance? Does he agree that that is wrong?
§ Mr. SpeedI was a reserve officer until May last year and I endorse everything that my hon. Friend says. The present situation is far from satisfactory. I hope that we shall be able to make an announcement fairly soon.
§ Mr. WilkinsonDoes my hon. Friend agree that the risks of certain aspects of 994 reserve training are almost as great as those experienced by the Regulars? For example, is the Minister aware that a few weeks ago a member of the 21st Special Air Service Regiment (Artists) of the Territorial Army, died in a training exercise on the Brecon Beacons? Will my hon. Friend conduct a review with the greatest urgency and ensure that compensation is in line with that awarded to the Regulars? Does he accept that nothing less is just?
§ Mr. SpeedThe matter is being considered with the greatest urgency. I hope that an announcement can be made be-force long. I accept the important points made by my hon. Friend. The present scheme has operated since 1974. It has many shortcomings.