§ 16. Dr. Brian Iddon (Bolton, South-East)What the size of the military presence in north-west region is: and if he will make a statement. [40912]
§ 18. Ms Ann Coffey (Stockport)What the size of the military presence is in north-west region; and if he will make a statement. [40915]
§ The Minister of State for Defence (Mr. Adam Ingram)As at July 2000, there were 1,904 service personnel based in the north-west. In addition, there are 2,128 civilian Ministry of Defence staff and more than 4,000 reserve forces based in the region.
§ Dr. IddonUnder this Government, unemployment has fallen significantly throughout the north-west. Has that had any significant impact on recruitment to the armed forces in our region?
§ Mr. IngramUndoubtedly. One of the characteristics that we are having to deal with is fuller employment in all the regions where before we would have had very good recruitment returns. Because of that, we have to renew our efforts and raise our game, so to speak, to ensure that we continue to attract the high-quality recruits that we need. The north-west is one of the areas in which we have a very good record of recruitment—one of the highest in the country.
§ Ms CoffeyI am pleased to learn that there are 4,000 reserves based in the north-west. As my right hon. Friend's Department is undertaking a new chapter in the strategic defence review to consider a greater role for the reserves in homeland defence, will he confirm that the north-west should see an increase in the number of reserves in future?
§ Mr. IngramThat is an important question because the new chapter, which has been mentioned in responses to previous questions, will clearly have an important impact across the wide reach of our armed forces, not least in the reserves and the territorials. It is too soon to say precisely what the impact of any change in activity will be on the regional footprint, but I shall ensure that my hon. Friend is kept up to date with any changes in her area.