§ 5. Mr. Julian Brazier (Canterbury)If he will list the Regular and Territorial units in the London District Rifle Association meeting in April by order of their team totals, starting with the winner. [41298]
§ The Minister for the Armed Forces (Dr. John Reid)I have placed in the Library of the House a list of the Regular and Territorial Army units in the London District Rifle Association meeting in April, by order of their team totals. I offer my congratulations to the London Regiment 5th, which carried the day with a team total of 3,637 points.
§ Mr. BrazierCan the Minister confirm that the three Territorial Army infantry battalions easily outshot their 585 six regular counterparts? In the same week, an American National Guard armoured battalion easily defeated its regular counterparts in a tough trial in the Nevada desert. Is it not time that we recognised that the best and most cost-effective role for reservists is in combat?
§ Dr. ReidI confirm what the hon. Gentleman says. From memory, I think that four out of the first five teams were Territorial Army units, which proves what all of us know: that we have some extremely high-quality people in the Territorial Army. That is all the more reason to make sure that the role that we shape for those high-quality people is not one that died with the cold war, but one that is relevant and usable in future exercises and operations, and can meet any future threat that we may face.