§ 12. Mr. Desmond Swayne (New Forest, West)How many members of the Territorial Army have been mobilised for the Iraq conflict. [105459]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Dr. Lewis Moonie)As at 25 March, 3,416 members of the Territorial Army have been mobilised for the Iraq conflict.
§ Mr. SwayneI have an interest as a Territorial Army officer.
At about Christmas time, a number of TA personnel were advised that they would be mobilised, and they made the necessary personal arrangements. They were subsequently stood down, allegedly on the grounds that the administrative procedures for mobilising them would be too long and the units with which they habitually train needed immediately to begin work-up training in the Gulf. Once the war is over, will the Minister examine those administrative mobilisation procedures and, if and where necessary, overhaul them?
§ Dr. MoonieI entirely agree with what the hon. Gentleman says. It is clearly very important for us to learn any lesson that may occur. I recognise that, where people are called up but not used, it is extremely disturbing to them. We will certainly look at anything like that once the conflict has finished—and his letter will probably be in the post tomorrow.
§ Mr. Andrew Mackay (Bracknell)Is the Minister aware that relatives of members of the Territorial Army and other members of the armed forces serving in the Iraq war will have been somewhat confused and disappointed by his earlier answer to the question asked by the hon. Member for Moray (Angus Robertson), as they perceive that the Government have indicated that post and packaging will be sent free of charge to the 661 Gulf? In my constituency last Thursday, people were charged the full amount at post offices. They were also told that, on Government instructions, the weight limit had been reduced to 2 kg. Can that be right? Is that helping the morale of the relatives?
§ Dr. MoonieWe have to make it clear that there was never any statement by a member of the Government that the entire postal service to the Gulf would be free. What we have said is that we are considering ways to institute a surface postal service, which can only come in later—it cannot come in at this moment because of the importance of getting supplies out there. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is considering the possibility of providing a free service in addition to the present service, not as a substitute.
§ Mr. MackayWhat about the weight limit?
§ Dr. MoonieAs far as I know, the weight limit remains unchanged. The weight limit for a mail package has always been, I think, 2.2 kg.