§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the percentage by which the present strength of the Territorial Army Volunteer Reserve falls short of its establishment; and what measure he proposes to take to bring units up to establishment.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownThe present strength of the Territorial and Army Volunteer Reserve falls short of its estatblishment by about 27 per cent. The place of the TAVR as an essential component of our defence forces has been confirmed by my right hon. Friend in his statement on the Defence Review, and an improvement in the strength of the TAVR will continue to be a major objective of our policy. An extensive recruiting drive is planned for early 1975.