§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Defence what change was made to Queen's Regulation J11.004 in June 1983; and what was the reason for the change.
§ Mr. LeeThe purpose of the change made to Queen's Regulation paragraph J11.004 was to provide a more complete reference to the relevant legislation.
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his reply of 23 July in respect of paragraph J11.004 of Queen's Regulations, if he will make a statement explaining why the amendment referred to was not listed on amendment 7 to Queen's Regulations dated June 1983.
§ Mr. LeeThe amendment to Queen's Regulation J11.004 was included in amendment No 7 of June 1983. The amendment was achieved by the removal of page 11–2 of Queen's Regulations for the Army and its substitution by a new page 11–2, as shown in the "New Pages" section of amendment No 7.
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the reason for the Defence Council order of 17 January 1983 which led to the amendment of paragraph J11.008 of Queen's Regulations in respect of the powers of local commanders giving military aid to the local community in peacetime at times of disaster.
§ Mr. LeeThe Defence Council order of 17 January 1983 authorises the temporary employment of servicemen on work to alleviate distress and preserve and safeguard lives and property in time of disaster. Because such tasks are likely to be of an urgent nature, the order also makes provision for the decision to use servicemen to be taken by a local commander.