HL Deb 27 January 1999 vol 596 cc156-7WA
Earl Attlee

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the role and establishment of the All Arms Watchkeeping Pool at the Central Volunteer Headquarters, Royal Artillery (CVHQ RA). [HL535]

The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Gilbert)

The role of the All Arms Watchkeeper and Liaison Officer Pool (Volunteers) has been to provide specialist TA officers to fill specified war establishment posts in UK Army formations, NATO Army formations and Royal Air Force Squadrons. In future, these officers will form a training pool and have no specific war role; their establishment will be reduced from 345 to 175 officers.

Earl Attlee

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many personnel from the All Arms Watchkeeping Pool at the Central Volunteer Headquarters, Royal Artillery (CVHQ RA) have served in Bosnia since January 1995; and what other operations they have supported since this date. [HL536]

Lord Gilbert

Fifty-two officers of the All Arms Watchkeeper and Liaison Officer Pool (Volunteers) have served in the Former Republic of Yugoslavia since January 1995. Six officers have also served on operations in the Middle East in support of the RAF since that date.

Earl Attlee

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What pools of reserve officers exist, other than the All Arms Watchkeeping Pool, that can be trawled for "posted" reserve officers likely to be available for duties. [HL537]

Lord Gilbert

We expect, as a result of the reform of the TA, to be able to trawl among the Territorial Army as a whole for officers able to serve with the Regular Army on operational duties. Besides the All Arms Watchkeeper and Liaison Officer Pool, officers can be trawled from the following specialist groups: the Technical Intelligence Staff Officer Pool, the Civil Affairs Group and the Media Operations Group.