§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many applicants there have been for enrolment in the Home Service Force announced by him in his statement on the reserve forces on 3 March; and when he expects the first units of the Service to be established;
(2) if he will make a statement on the progress so far in establishing a Home Service Force as part of the reserve service outlined in his statement of 3 March, Official Report, columns 273–75; if the purposes and tasks of the Service have now been more specifically defined; and, if 57W so, if he will publish details in the Official Report;
(3) what equipment is planned for the Home Service Force described in his statement on the reserve forces of 3 March, Official Report, columns 273–75; to what degree the Service will be mechanised; and whether any part of it will be expected to fill the role of front line combat troops should the occasion arise.
§ Mr. WigginThe pilot scheme for the Home Service Force announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 3 March 1982 will start on 1 September and will consist of four trial companies, totalling some 400 personnel. So far several hundred people have expressed an interest in joining, but formal recruiting will not start until 1 August, following local publicity campaigns. The role of the force remains as set out in the announcement on 3 March and in my answer to the hon. Member for Cannock (Mr. Roberts) on 22 March—[Vol. 20, c.276.] The force will not need to be mechanised, but the trial companies will be equipped with personal weapons and appropriate stores.