§ Mr. Fowlerasked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the reserve service obligations of soldiers who prematurely purchase their transfer to the Reserve.
§ Mr. Ian GilmourArrangements were introduced in 1964 whereby certain soldiers who would previously have been allowed to purchase their discharge from the Army were required instead to transfer by purchase to Section B of the Regular Reserve. This measure has proved very successful, and it will be extended in future to enable selected soldiers who purchase their transfer to be placed in Section A of the Regular Reserve instead of in Section B. This change will not apply to, for example, compassionate cases, who will continue to be transferred to Section B.
The new measure will help to increase the strength of Section A Reservists, who are more readily available for service should the need arise; and also produce a more balanced Regular Reserve.