§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will reconsider his decision not to allow prison officers to join the Territorial Army Volunteer Reserve.
§ Mr. MellorIt is essential that if a man joins the Territorial Army he should not only be able to fulfil his training commitments but also be available for call-out in time of crisis.
Prison officers are expected to remain at their posts during a national emergency and would therefore not be available for call-up with the rest of the TA. In these circumstances, it would not be sensible for prison officers to join the TA and waste resources on training. For this reason we are unable to vary the decision not to allow them to join the Territorial Army Volunteer Reserve.