§ Ms Roseanna Cunningham (Perth)Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, for the opportunity to raise this important national and constituency issue on the Floor of the House. With the Minister's agreement, I shall restrict my comments to allow my hon. Friend the Member for North Tayside (Mr. Swinney) to speak.
The Black Watch Territorial Army Battalion, which has its headquarters in Perth and which recruits widely throughout Perthshire, Angus and Fife, is the volunteer arm of one of the most distinguished regiments in our armed forces. I understand that it was raised in 1746, so it is also one of the oldest. The House may recall that the Black Watch regulars were the regiment that oversaw the lowering of the union jack over Hong Kong last year. It is my hope, of course, that the regiment and its full complement of volunteers will be present at the raising of the saltire at the independence ceremonies for Scotland in a few years' time.
Hon. Members will be aware of the broad thrust of the proposals for the Territorial Army throughout the United Kingdom and in Scotland—a cut of some 30 per cent. across the UK, but, I am informed, a fall of some 47 per cent. in the highlands. However, we have been left in the dark about the impact on individual TA battalions and companies.
Before the recess, the Government assured the House that consultation on future TA deployment would take place over the summer, and that an announcement would be made in the autumn. That announcement, as I understand it, has been delayed. My information is that we are unlikely to hear the fate of our individual TA units until December. That is an appalling way to treat the volunteers. Will the Minister please explain the reasons for the delay? One conclusion is that it is intended to delay the news until just before Christmas, in the hope that the bad news will be swamped by the seasonal preparations.
If the Minister departs from his prepared response in only one area today, I hope that he will do so to answer the following questions. Has he personally seen the Army's recommendations on the TA? Does his Department have a copy of those recommendations? If the answer to either of those questions is yes, when did he or his Department receive the recommendations? What is the reason for any delay in the final announcement? Can he today give us a date for the publication of the final details of the TA cuts? Over the past few days, I have spoken to many members of the Territorial Army at every level. They, too, have asked those questions, and it is insulting to them that the Government are not coming clean with the proposals right now.
What is most demeaning, and what has caused almost 300 volunteers in the highlands to leave the TA over the summer, is the fact that the likely outcome of the so-called review seems clear. Those men know that their battalions are facing large cuts and loss of identity, so there is little incentive for them to remain in them.
It appears that, in my area, the Black Watch will be merged with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders TA and the Highlanders TA, with the Black Watch reduced to one company and the others possibly escaping with two 296 each. The Black Watch cap badges will remain, the red hackles may still be there, but, when that cap badge covers a company of as few as 100 men, that can be seen as little more than a sop.
In my area, it is hoped that Perth itself will retain the battalion headquarters, but information suggests that it is likely that the Black Watch TA presence will go from Forfar and Kirkcaldy—two of the most modern TA centres in the country. That at Forfar opened as recently as this year, at a cost of £800,000, and that at Kirkcaldy was renovated three years ago, at a cost of more than £2 million. If Kirkcaldy goes, it will be an end to the infantry presence in Fife. I do not consider that a saving; it seems more like a scandalous waste.
Overall, the Black Watch TA is bracing itself for a cut of some 69 per cent. in its complement—a loss of some 150 men. In 1995, the Black Watch alone of the highland regiments had its complement cut. Perhaps the Minister will explain why it seems to have been singled out for such draconian measures.
The current cuts are reflected elsewhere in Scotland and the UK. Obviously, I cannot stray too far from the subject of the debate, but hon. Members will appreciate that my comments on the Black Watch are intended as an illustration of a wider problem. This is not only a plea for the Government to change their mind on the Black Watch, but for them to rethink the whole review of the TA and to ensure that Scotland maintains a minimum complement of 7,000 volunteers.
The Minister is likely to argue that times have changed, and that volunteers do not play the role that they used to in our national defence. He may wax lyrical about the potency of Trident, rapid deployment forces and large aircraft carriers in allowing the UK to project its supposed might worldwide, but in my view such arguments are akin to a mid-life crisis, bringing to mind the man who craves the roar of a Ferrari when he needs a good four-wheel drive vehicle. This analysis does not take into account the real impact and importance of the Black Watch and the other TA battalions.
The Minister must consider two points. First, it is clear from the strategic defence review that the role of the armed forces has switched more heavily toward rapid deployment overseas and away from defence of the home territory. That is a strategic judgment, but in so reconfiguring the regulars he has left a role for the volunteers—home defence—which should mean keeping the TA units at current strength instead of slashing them. The Black Watch and the other battalions are the framework around which a home defence force can be raised. The Government's proposals threaten to turn that framework into a skeleton. That is not only my view, but that of senior members of the TA, to whom I have spoken in recent days and weeks.
Secondly, the Ministry of Defence recognises that the Territorial Army will play an increasing role, alongside the regulars, in some overseas deployments. I believe that about 10 per cent. of current UK forces in Bosnia are volunteers, providing additional skills to complement the regulars. Obviously, if the TA is cut, the burden of those duties will fall on a smaller number of increasingly demoralised volunteers. Is the Minister confident that the cream of the TA battalions will remain in service when their battalion identities are destroyed, and when recruitment areas are being cut? In the Black Watch area, 297 the cuts will effectively mean freezing out Fife and Angus. Is the Minister confident that employers will be happy to see their staff called away increasingly often and bearing the additional burdens imposed by the cuts? Is he confident that he can find 1,500 volunteers for Bosnia from a pool of 40,000 men, when I am told that it is difficult enough to do so from a pool of 60,000?
The Territorial Army is, by its very name, a territorial body. Has the Minister forgotten that Scotland covers more than a quarter of the UK land mass? Surely there is an unanswerable case for that land mass, and the highlands in particular, to retain territorial units. There is no reason why the Black Watch should suffer a cut of twice the UK average. There must be a rethink on the deployment of volunteer engineers in Scotland. Although that matter is not directly related to the Black Watch, I should say that my hon. Friend the Member for Moray (Mrs. Ewing) has been pressing for the retention of the two units in her constituency. Recent floods across the country should serve as reminder enough of the role that such units can play in such community and natural disasters. When the River Tay flooded in Perth in the early 1990s, the local infantry TA made a major contribution.
Finally, I want the Minister to consider the impact of the proposed cuts on my area and on communities throughout the country. It has been estimated that the economic loss throughout the UK from the slashing of 20,000 volunteers will be some £50 million. In Perthshire, Angus and Fife, the cuts could result in as much as £400,000 being removed from the local economies. They will result in fewer opportunities for young people in the towns most likely to lose their TA centres. They will impact on the recruitment of Army cadets. The two battalions of cadets in the Black Watch area will undoubtedly be affected by a loss of more than 60 per cent. in the manpower of their main source of military support. Given that much Regular Army recruitment comes from those serving in the TA, we may find an even bigger recruitment problem a few years down the line.
The Territorial Army takes up a mere 2 per cent. of the UK defence budget. That 2 per cent. provides a skills base for the regular forces, a pool of troops for overseas deployment, a link with local communities and a framework for home defence. That is money well spent, when other parts of the defence budget are being wasted on resources such as the unusable Trident nuclear system.
My plea to the Minister is to take heed of his short-sighted TA cuts in the Black Watch and the other volunteer battalions and invest in the backbone of our national defence, not in the grandiose delusions of nuclear power.
§ Mr. John Swinney (North Tayside)I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Perth (Ms Cunningham) on securing this debate and thank her for allowing me to make a brief contribution on my constituency interest.
I am concerned about the rumoured cuts in the strength of the Black Watch and the likelihood that the exercise will result in a 69 per cent. cut in numbers. My constituency interest relates to securing the future of the Strathmore TA centre at Forfar, where the anti-tank 298 platoon of the third volunteer battalion of the Black Watch is based. The new centre, in Castle street, Forfar, was opened by the Earl of Airlie, the Lord Lieutenant of Angus, in April 1998, following an investment of nearly £800,000 in refurbishment. The premises have several attributes unique to the presence of an anti-tank platoon, notably the weapons store. Closing that centre would be short sighted, resulting in the loss of the investment made in those unique facilities.
When I visited the centre last Friday, I heard some cautious optimism about its future, but that contradicts the reports leaked earlier in the year suggesting that it was to be closed. Will the Minister settle that speculation today?
However, that is not the end of my concerns. I am acutely worried about the impact in my constituency, but there is also grave unease in the wider area of Fife and Tayside about the implications of the proposed cuts and how they might affect centres in Kirkcaldy, Dundee and Perth. Existing personnel have given great commitment to the Territorial Army. As a result of the proposals, they will simply be told that their commitment has been in vain. We do not want to lose that commitment and those resources.
My hon. Friend the Member for Perth referred to the important role of the Territorial Army in contributing to the local economy. I want to stress that strongly. There are implications for remuneration in the local economy and purchasing power in the Angus area.
The Territorial Army has an important role in recruitment at local level for the Regular Army. The traditional recruiting areas of the Black Watch in Angus, Dundee, Fife and Perthshire are closely associated with the regiment. There is a danger of the Government's proposals destroying that vital local link. I hope that the Minister will reassure us today about the regiment and my constituency interests.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Mr. John Spellar)I congratulate the hon. Member for Perth (Ms Cunningham) on securing a debate on the potential implications of reductions in the Territorial Army on the third battalion of the Black Watch, which has its headquarters in her constituency. She alluded to the creation of an independent Scotland, but did not say how she would pay for the TA while setting up a separate Army, Navy and Air Force for Scotland. Her sneering references to a mid-life crisis made clear her contempt for our armed services. However, despite her tone, she made some arguments that should be dealt with.
The debate is about the potential implications—I say potential only because no decisions have been taken. Indeed, no proposals have yet been put to Ministers. The Government fully appreciate that this is a period of uncertainty for those in the TA in Scotland and elsewhere in the UK. We are keen to make an announcement as soon as possible. The hon. Lady asked me to depart from my prepared response, which says that she would be the first to criticise us if we did not consult carefully all those concerned before reaching our decision. That is what we are doing and why we do not have a final response. The issues have not been decided before consultations with the Territorial Army have been completed. If we came with a prepared response while the consultation was still under way, the instant accusation in the Chamber would be that the consultations were a meaningless smokescreen.
299 We deplore the way in which internal consultation documents were leaked and then presented as Government proposals. As my hon. Friend the Minister for the Armed Forces told the House last week—and will no doubt say again in this afternoon's debate on the Army—the Government will return to the House with a statement when a decision has been made. We shall try to do that as soon as possible, after giving proper consideration to all the responses.
The hon. Member for Perth rightly drew attention to the long and distinguished history of the Black Watch, Scotland's senior highland regiment. The Highland Regiment of Foot was formed in 1740 and was known from the beginning as the Black Watch—derived, I understand, from the colour of the tartan and the original task of the companies in keeping watch over the highlands in the aftermath of the Jacobite rising. The regiment now contains one territorial battalion, with a headquarters at Queens barracks in Perth. The battalion has two companies, in Dundee and Kirkcaldy, with a platoon based in Forfar. The Government fully understand the important role that the Black Watch plays in the local community, which the hon. Members for Perth and for North Tayside (Mr. Swinney) have articulated so forcefully.
When considering the potential implications of the reduction in size of the Territorial Army on battalions such as the Black Watch, and how best to minimise the negative impacts for any units that have to close, the Government have a responsibility to bear in mind the full implications of not making the changes. In short, as we said in the strategic defence review, we are looking to the future, not the past.
The current structure of the Territorial Army is based on cold war planning for defence in the event of a major Warsaw pact invasion of western Europe. That role is no longer realistic or credible and the TA must adapt to the new world. The structure is based on the role of territorial defence, particularly of key strategic installations, in the event of a major conflict in central Europe and the need to backfill into such a conflict. That is no longer part of the Ministry of Defence's strategic planning. We must ensure that the TA remains relevant and usable in the current strategic reality and that it is an integral part of the defence capability that the strategic defence review, following wide consultation in the services and beyond, has sought to identify. The TA can no longer have a structure based on the need to meet the threat of general war in Europe—a threat that no longer exists in the short or medium term. It is wasteful and demoralising to maintain forces for a non-existent role. That is why change is required.
We want a Territorial Army that is more fully integrated into the Regular Army and structured to meet today's security concerns. We seek a TA that is properly resourced, and provides career development and educational opportunities for those who wish to volunteer and to serve. We seek a Territorial Army that is trained to operate key battle-winning equipment, such as Challenger, AS90, the multiple-launch rocket system and Rapier, and which offers skills that can be of benefit in civilian employment both to the individual and their employers.
As part of the approach, we shall look to make greater use of the TA for the conduct of military operations than we have in the past. As was made clear in the strategic 300 defence review, we need to be prepared to mobilise the TA more frequently. We did not compulsorily call it out for the Gulf war, but plan to do so for future operations of that scale. In seeking to strike the appropriate balance between the size of our regular forces and that of our reserves, however, we must take into account that, with few exceptions, we cannot expect our reserve forces to undertake operations at short notice or meet on-going day-to-day commitments. The hon. Member for Perth mentioned that greater use of the TA would not be attractive to employers. We know from discussions with employers that the greater level of training that will be provided will be attractive to them.
For the TA as a whole, therefore, the change in its character and role is important and good news. Instead of large numbers of forces planning and training to meet the implausible threat of an imminent strategic attack on the United Kingdom or our NATO allies, we see a force that will contribute to our ability to project military power abroad. The challenge is to prevent the Territorial Army becoming a symbol of the cold war, with no place in the new strategic setting.
The Government are keenly aware of the importance of maintaining the link between the Army—indeed, all the services—and the wider civilian population. That link has been fostered both nationally and locally by the presence of TA units in the community—not least by their support of local cadet forces, to which both the hon. Members for Perth and for North Tayside referred. The training that TA units offer, the values that they instil and the support that they provide in times of civilian crises are all vital functions.
In seeking to introduce such an important change, we are carefully considering all the issues—including those raised by the hon Lady and the hon. Gentleman in this debate. We hope to preserve as wide a presence as possible of the TA—as well as the other voluntary services in the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy, which I regret are sometimes forgotten in these debates—throughout the country. To assist us in reaching decisions, we have consulted widely on how the changes should be implemented. In particular, the Territorial Auxiliary and Volunteer Reserve Association, which has important local knowledge, has been fully involved.
It is tribute to the geographical coverage of the Territorial Army that there is a TA centre in the majority of constituencies. That understandably and rightly accounts for the interest that so many hon. Members take in plans for the TA and prospects for their local units, which are an important part of their communities. As well as ensuring that military requirements are met, it is the Government's responsibility to ensure that, as far as possible, the geographical spread should continue, and that all those who wish to offer their services are able to do so.
The geographical footprint of the services is one of the important criterion in evaluation of the proposals. As a result of the Secretary of State's announcement only last week, we have of course increased the visibility of the services in the community by allowing our forces to wear uniforms in their local areas. That is very important. We recognise the TA as a further important part in such visibility, and will consider it in our decisions.
301 If we are to be successful in implementing the change that is so important, some TA units will have to close or change role. For the reasons that I have given, we can not perpetuate the status quo, nor has there been a realistic argument that the TA should stay as it is.
§ Mr. Menzies Campbell (North-East Fife)indicated dissent.
§ Mr. SpellarThat is so, even when individuals have argued points of detail.
The hon. Members for Perth and for North Tayside raised the question of cadets. Of particular importance, and a further criterion in our evaluation of particular sites, is the support often provided to local cadet forces by TA centres, such as the one in Perth. The cadets of all three services represent an important national youth movement. Although some will be affected by the planned changes in Territorial Army centres, we aim to minimise disruption wherever possible. Indeed, we are looking to increase the direct financial support that we offer them.
The hon. and learned Member for North-East Fife (Mr. Campbell) indicated that he thought that there was a realistic argument for the TA to stay as it is.
§ Mr. Menzies Campbellindicated dissent.
§ Mr. SpellarHe denies that. I am pleased to have his agreement, in the spirit of constructive opposition.
The hon. Member for Perth referred to the percentage of reserves and cadets who provide recruits to the armed forces. I understand that 25 per cent. of Regular Army recruit—officers and soldiers alike—have Army cadet experience. About 8 per cent. have TA experience.
As my hon. Friend the Minister for the Armed Forces will make clear in the debate later today, recruitment to the Army has much improved under this Government. 302 We do not believe that our proposals for the TA will affect that to any significant degree. We recognise that the changes envisaged will have an impact on many members of the TA, including those whose units will not be closing, as well as all those who have contact with it. We are working hard to provide a sensitive package of measures for volunteers who leave the TA, and hope to be able to announce more about that later in the year.
Several other opportunities will be made available for volunteers who are unable to continue serving with the TA. Those will include service with the Regular Army, membership of the Royal Naval Reserve, or the Royal Air Force Reserve, and posts as officers or instructors with the cadets. In the event that suitable vacancies arise, the volunteers will of course have the opportunity to rejoin the TA. There will also be provisions concerning travel allowances. We recognise the geographical problems in Scotland to which the hon. Member for Perth drew attention. The hon. Lady also referred to Trident. Given the Scottish National party's opposition to Trident, it is slightly ironic that it campaigns vigorously on where Trident submarines should be refitted. Perhaps that is a further example of the SNP's inconsistency.
The implementation of changes in the TA will be difficult, but it important that we have a modern, relevant and usable Territorial Army which is fully integrated into the Regular Army and has much to offer those who wish to volunteer and serve, but are not able to serve full time.
The hon Member for Perth has drawn attention to the potential implications for the TA unit of the Black Watch in her constituency. I assure her that those and the many other representations that we have received from hon. Members and those involved with the TA will be taken into account in the decisions that Ministers will be taking over the next few weeks on its structure and our investment in the future of a strong, relevant and usable Territorial Army.