§ Lady HermonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons mobilised reservists are not receiving timely pay statements; how many reservists are affected; and what steps he is taking to ensure that all reservists receive timely pay statements. [165140]
§ Mr. Caplin[holding answer 1 April 2004]: We accept that some reservists' pay statements did not get delivered on time during Op Telic. This meant that some reservists did not know they were being paid or how much they were being paid. Late or non-delivery of pay statements was attributable to delays in the administrative process of taking the reservist on strength at the Theatre unit.
This issue was identified during the Op Telic lessons identified process and action is in hand to improve the administrative systems in use. We have witnessed a significant improvement in the administrative process of taking the reservist on strength as units move into permanent infrastructure and improved communication links. In the main members of the TA called out for Op Telic 4 are now joining their respective units in their peacetime locations and administrative procedures are now being completed prior to deployment which minimises the shortcomings experienced with IT in Theatre.
While there is no central record of the number of individuals who did not receive pay slips or who experienced delays in their delivery, I understand that the extent of the problem was limited and that the vast majority of reservists did receive pay slips on time.