§ Mr. Bestasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give the personnel 736W strengths of all corps of the Territorial and Army Volunteer Reserve (a) now and (b) for the past three years: (i) in numbers and (ii) as a percentage of establishment.
§ Mr. HayhoeInformation on the strength and establishment of individual TAVR corps is classified. Figures for the TAVR as a whole are as follows:
Strength Percentage establishment 1976 58,900 82.4 1977 60,800 84.2 1978 60,200 82.7 1979 59,400 80.8 All figures are as at 31 May each year
§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he proposes to take to achieve a major strengthening of the Territorial and Army Volunteer Reserve.
§ Mr. HayhoeThe TAVR has a vital role to play in the successful execution of our defence policy. The Government therefore attach a high priority to maintaining the TAVR's efficiency, improving its equipment and encouraging recruitment and prolongation of service. Particular attention will be paid to reducing the present level of manpower turnover and the recommendations of the Shapland report are under urgent consideration.