§ 24. Mr. EdwardsTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the future role of the Territorial Army in the war on terrorism. [66983]
§ Mr. HoonThe Volunteer Reserves have important roles in both overseas operations and the defence of the United Kingdom. In overseas operations, they already have essential and well-defined duties, and the nature of their involvement is unlikely to change. The changed security threat could, however, involve the Volunteer Reserves in taking on additional roles. I announced on 12 June the publication of a discussion document, "The Role of the Reserves in Home Defence and Security", a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House. This contained specific proposals to enhance the support that the Ministry of Defence and the armed forces, including the Volunteer Reserves, could provide to the civil authorities. This included a proposal to create reaction forces formed from Volunteer Reservists that could be called upon to assist the police in dealing with the immediate aftermath of a terrorist attack.
§ 36. Mr. Andrew MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Territorial Army. [66996]
§ Dr. MoonieI refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Monmouth (Mr. Edwards).