HC Deb 20 January 2004 vol 416 cc1124-5W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Reserve Forces (Safeguard of Employment) Act 1985 in ensuring that(a) reservists' jobs are safeguarded, (b) adequate compensation is payable when they are not, (c) the procedure to be followed is as simple as possible and (d) employers do not misuse economic restructuring to minimise compensation. [146183]

Mr. Caplin

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 8 January 2004,Official Report, column 454W.

However, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 11 December 2003 that the Ministry of Defence will be examining the effectiveness of the 1985 Act as part of the White Paper process.

Angus Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many reservists serve as(a) full-time reservists with full commitment contracts, (b) full-time reservists with limited commitment contracts, (c) full-time reservists with home commitment contracts and (d) volunteer reservists. [148668]

Mr. Caplin

I refer the hon. Member to Tri-Service Publication (TSP) 3:UK Armed Forces Strengths and Requirements, and UK Defence Statistics (UKDS) 2003. TSP 3 shows strength figures of full-time reservists broken down by commitment type. Table 2.13 of UKDS shows the strength of the Volunteer reserves as at 1 April each year.

These are both available in the House of Commons Library; TSP 3 and UKDS are updated on a monthly and yearly basis, respectively. TSP 3 for 1 November 2003 was published on 10 December 2003. The 1 December 2003 issue is due for publication shortly.

Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what support his Department gives to a reservist prevented from returning to his previous employment; and if he will make a statement. [146180]

Mr. Caplin

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 8 January 2004,Official Report, column 454W. The Ministry of Defence's Supporting Britain's Reservists and Employers (SaBRE) campaign team provides a helpline and a website which gives additional information and advice.