§ Mr. Cyril D. Townsendasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out the terms in which he has recently written to employers seeking their support for the Territorial Army.
§ Mr. HeseltineThe text is as follows
Dear EmployerI am writing to you about members of our volunteer reserve forces, in particular in the Territorial Army (TA), who work for you or under your supervision.The TA plays a vital part in our defence strategy. It is also highly cost-effective; it provides over 25 per cent. of the mobilised strength of the British Army for about 4½ per cent. of the Army's budget. Since coming to office the Government has given a high priority to increasing the size of the TA and improving its operational capability. To this end we have embarked on a programme to expand it to a strength of 86,000 by 1990. We are also expanding the Royal Auxiliary Air Force and we have plans to increase the size of the Royal Marines Reserve.But the Government can only do so much to foster recruiting and enhance the training and effectiveness of our reserve forces. Inevitably, we rely on the dedication of the volunteers themselves and I readily acknowledge the debt we owe to them and their families for their commitment to the security of our country, and the preservation of our way of life.To equip him (or her) for his military role the volunteer must be properly trained. This involves him in a number of weekend and evening training programmes throughout the year; but of critical importance is attendance at the annual 15-day period of full-time training. Meeting this commitment invariably involves considerable personal sacrifices on the volunteer's part. I realise that it can also cause considerable problems for employers, particular small employers. However the qualities of leadership, self discipline, and initiative inherent in TA training are as important to the community and as beneficial to the employer as they are to the Armed Forces.I am now appealing to all employers to adopt a policy of encouraging their employees to join the volunteer reserve forces and of allowing those who are members of these reserves time off to attend training. I recognise that many of you already do this, for which I am very grateful.This will be especially important this year when, in the autumn, a large number of TA soldiers will be participating in Exercise LIONHEART, a major military exercise designed to test our plans for reinforcing the British Army of the Rhine.I appreciate that what I am asking of you will not be easy, but by responding in this way not only will you be making your own important contribution to our national defence but also helping yourself by developing, through service in the reserves, the personal qualities and potential of those volunteers in your employ.Michael Heseltine