§ 2. Mr. John Browneasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will count as Territorial Army and Volunteer Reserve training periods any time spent by specialists of the RAPC and REME upon necessary training correspondence courses, which may not be carried out in a drill hall or as part of a normal Territorial Army exercise or weekend's training.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces (Mr. Jerry Wiggin)I have asked for a study to be made examining the implications of that idea, which I view favourably.
§ Mr. BrowneI sincerely thank my hon. Friend for that reply. I assure him that it will be welcome in the Reserve Forces. But can he assure the House that he will press his Department and those in authority in the Reserve Forces to take a flexible attitude towards training and physical presence for training parades that befits a modern Reserve Army?
§ Mr. WigginThe Territorial Army, together with the other Reserve Forces, seeks to use modern means of communication and education. I take on board my hon. Friend's point, and I shall see whether we can meet him on it.
§ Mr. PawseyWill my hon. Friend give details of what advice has been given to the TA so that it may co-operate with the civil power in the event of a nuclear emergency?
§ Mr. WigginThat question falls so far outside the original question that I would wish further notice of it.