§ Mr. Hefferasked the Minister of State for Defence what training programmes are in existence for the Territorial and Army Volunteer Reserve; and whether they include the training of recruits in war games involving riots and the suppression of demonstrations in British cities.
§ Mr. BlakerThe training programmes of TAVR units vary with the type of unit and are largely determined by the role of the unit in mobilisation plans. Trained soldiers of the TAVR infantry may be instructed in the principles of internal security in a general war situation.
§ Mr. Hefferasked the Minister of State for Defence how many Regular Army officers are on full-time work with the TAVR.
§ Mr. BlakerThere are 340 Regular Army officers engaged full-time on work with the TAVR.
§ Mr. Hefferasked the Minister of State for Defence what has been the size of the new TAVR since its inception; and what is the target for its ultimate strength.
§ Mr. Peter BlakerThe strength of the new TAVR units which were formed on 1st April 1971 was as follows:
194W
Actual strength on: 31st March 1972 7,082 31st January 1973 8,277 The target for these units is 10,545.
§ Mr. Hefferasked the Minister of State for Defence what the annual budget has been of the new TAVR since it was formed; what amount is allocated for the financial year; and what amount is allocated for the next financial year.
§ Mr. BlakerThe cost of the new TAVR units formed on 1st April 1971 cannot be precisely identified separately within the cost of the Army as a whole. The estimated provision for the new units is as follows:
1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 £3.0 million £5.0 million £5.5 million