HC Deb 02 November 1998 vol 318 cc343-4W
6. Mr. Day

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on problems of overstretch in the armed forces, with particular reference to the future of the Territorial Army. [55882]

Mr. George Robertson

The Strategic Defence Review concluded that we must match the commitments we undertake to our planned resources. This, together with our commitment to achieve full manning for all three Services, will relieve overstretch. Our proposals for the Territorial Army will allow them to be used in a wider and more flexible way. In areas such as medical services, where there is a particular shortage of Regular personnel, we are looking at substantial increases in the number of Territorial Army personnel.

22. Mr. Colvin

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Territorial Army centres he proposes to close; and how many of them have ancillary army cadet corps units. [55901]

26. Mr. John M. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the security of tenure of the TA centre in Haslucks Green road in Shirley in the Solihull constituency and its future use as the parading venue of navy, army and air cadets. [55907]

Mr. Loughton

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Territorial Army in Sussex. [55883]

Mr. Doug Henderson

An announcement on the future of the Territorial Army will be made shortly.

29. Mr. Flight

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the impact of funding changes on the effectiveness of the Territorial Army. [55910]

Mr. Doug Henderson

The new arrangements for the funding of the Territorial Army, which will come into effect in April 2000, are designed to improve the administration of spending on the TA. We do not anticipate that there will be any adverse impact on the operational effectiveness of the TA as a result of the changes.

Maria Eagle

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the role of Territorial Army units in aiding civil authorities in their own areas in times of disaster. [56831]

Mr. Doug Henderson

Territorial Army units are able to provide military aid to civil authorities within their local areas, as an adjunct to their main roles. The links forged with local communities are being taken into account in the current review of the future structure of the Territorial Army.

Maria Eagle

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he will take to ensure that the establishment of medical units and field hospitals in the Territorial Army is up to strength and has the appropriate mix of skilled doctors and nurses. [56826]

Mr. Doug Henderson

It is my Department's aim that all Territorial Army medical units and field hospitals should be fully complemented with appropriately skilled medical personnel. A review of Army medical services is currently underway and will address a number of issues, including current recruiting difficulties.

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