§ 69. Mr. David EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress is being made following the launch of his Department's campaign to recruit and retain members of the volunteer reserves.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe current volunteer reserve forces campaign has as its prime aim improving retention in the reserve forces, although we would expect to see some measure of spin-off on recruitment. In addition to a widened public understanding of the importance of the volunteer reserves, there are encouraging signs that the campaign has made employers more aware of how the training offered in the volunteer reserves has relevance to civil employment and the benefits which they may gain thereby as a result of employee membership of the reserve forces. To date, more than 820 major employers, representing over half the United Kingdom work force, have pledged their support and we are confident that there has been a genuine reduction in the pressures which have acted against volunteer employees in the past.
§ 107. Mr. Patrick ThompsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has any plans to increase the role of the volunteer reserves.
§ 121. Mr. MansTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has any plans to increase the role of the volunteer reserves.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe role of the volunteer reserves is kept under continuous review.