§ Mr. Georgeasked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the annual expenditure on the Territorial Army Volunteer Reserve for the last five years for which figures are available; what percentage this was of the total Army Vote; and what percentage it was of the total defence budget.
§ Mr. HayhoeThe information is as follows:
§ Mr. HayhoeThe establishment and recruited strength on 1 April for the last five years of the TAVR as a whole are as follows:
Establishment Strength 1975 74,300 54,100 1976 73,700 55,900 1977 72,800 60,900 1978 72,400 60,600 1979 73,600 59,400 Corresponding figures for independent and sponsored units and for transport and movement units are classified.
§ Mr. Georgeasked the Secretary of State for Defence how much was spent by the Territorial Army Volunteer Reserve on advertising in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and what percentage of the total Territorial Army Volunteer Reserve budget this represented each year.
§ Mr. HayhoeThe total amount spent on TAVR advertising for the last five years and the percentage it represented of expenditure on behalf of the TAVR was as follows:
opportunity to emphasise our support for the TAVR in the crucial role that it plays in the successful execution of our defence policy.
§ Mr. Georgeasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will seek to increase the liability and training bounties in the Territorial Army Volunteer Reserve.
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§ Mr. HayhoeThe rates of bounty payable to members of the TAVR are under review.
§ Mr. Georgeasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will issue guidance to all Government Departments and nationalised industries explaining the training obligations of the Territorial Army Volunteer Reserve members; and if he will take steps to ensure that public sector employers release Territorial Army Volunteer Reserve members for such training without penalty.
§ Mr. HayhoeRegulations applying to the whole of the Civil Service already exist regarding entitlement to special leave for members of the Reserve forces. I hope to encourage the extension of this practice among employers in both public and private industry by promoting a wider understanding of the importance of the TAVR to national defence and of its training commitment. As I informed my hon. Friend the Member for Anglesey (Mr. Best)—[Vol. 968, c. 14]—I am confident that this matter is best approached by securing the voluntary co—operation of employers.
§ Mr. Georgeasked the Secretary of State for Defence what measures he is taking to ensure that Territorial Army Volunteer Reserve units are properly equipped, trained and capable of being deployed rapidly.
§ Mr. HayhoeI shall seek to ensure that the equipment of TAVR units accurately reflects their operational role and that full account is taken of the needs of the TAVR in the introduction of new equipment. Training for war is the principal activity of the TAVR in peacetime and high standards are required. The present rate of manpower turnover gives cause for concern and the recommendations of the Shapland report are therefore under urgent consideration. Ways of reducing the time required for the mobilisation and deployment of the TAVR in an emergency are kept under review.
§ Mr. Georgeasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the findings of the Shapland committee report on the Territorial Army Volunteer Reserve.
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§ Mr. HayhoeThe recommendations of the Shapland report are under urgent consideration and it is hoped to announce decisions in the course of the summer.
§ Mr. Georgeasked the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of the Government's proposed increase in defence spending will go to the Territorial Army Volunteer Reserve.
§ Mr. HayhoeTAVR expenditure will be increased as a direct result of the increase in pay for the Armed Services announced by the Government and TAVR expenditure will continue to be determined in the light of priorities within the defence programme taking account of the TAVR's manpower, equipment and accommodation requirements.
§ Mr. Georgeasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role of the Territorial Army Volunteer Reserve in British defence policy.
§ Mr. HayhoeThe role of the TAVR is to provide a national reserve available both for employment on specific tasks at home and abroad and to meet the unexpected when required. In particular:
- (a) to complete the Army order of battle of British forces committed to NATO and to provide certain units for the support of NATO headquarters;
- (b) to assist in maintaining a secure United Kingdom base in support of forces deployed on the continent of Europe;
- (c) to provide a framework for any further expansion of the Reserves.