§ 15. Mr. Marlowasked the Secretary of State for Defence what training he intends for the Regular Army Reserve in 1986.
§ Mr. StanleyWe are planning for up to 500 Regular Reservists to participate in the major BAOR field training exercise later this year. In addition, the new scheme whereby Regular Reservists in their third year of liabililty are invited to participate in one week refresher training courses at various locations throughout the United Kindgom will be continued during 1986. We shall continue to examine ways of providing further cost-effective training opportunities for those with a Regular Reserve commitment.
§ Mr. MarlowWhat deductions has my right hon. Friend made from the experiences of using the Regular Army Reserve on exercises Lionheart and Brave Defender in the past couple of years? Does he agree that this is an under-utilised resource that is highly cost-effective? Will he look to expand its use?
§ Mr. StanleyI can assure my hon. Friend that we have concluded very favourably from the training opportunities that we have provided for the Regular Reservists. We are very glad that my hon. Friend participated in both exercises, Lionheart and Brave Defender. We shall continue to try to find ways to produce cost-effective opportunities for Regular Reservists to engage in more training.
§ Mr. ConwaySince the Regular Reservists report to Territorial Army sponsoring battalions, is my right hon. Friend happy that the expansion programme for the Territorial Army is on target and is ready to receive those Reservists?
§ Mr. StanleyI am glad to be able to tell my hon. Friend that the expansion of the Territorial Army to our target of 86,000 by 1990 is at the moment well on track and that the Territorial Army's strength currently stands at 74,000, compared with only 59,000 when we came to office.