§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence when the present provision for training days for the Territorial Army was reduced to 38 a year; what it was before the reduction; and when it is to be increased to 42.
§ Mr. GoodhartFinancial provision for Territorial Army man training days is not based on a theoretical entitlement but on previous average levels of usage across the Territorial Army. In 1979–80 this was 38 days for independent units, in 1980–81 37 days. The 1981–82 provision does not therefore represent a cut against actual usage levels but, in order to contain expenditure on the defence budget, it was necessary to ensure that these levels were not exceeded and restrictions were therefore imposed. It is planned to provide for an average of 42 days for the independent units beginning in 1982–83, although we have yet to finalise the details of how these days can best be allocated to the Territorial Army to ensure their most efficient use.