HC Deb 22 December 1988 vol 144 c361W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he takes to exclude (i) Fascist groups and individuals and (ii) mentally unstable persons from access to Territorial Army training and weaponry; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Neubert

Prospective recruits into the Territorial Army are required to declare on their enlistment form any affiliations with certain specified causes and must swear on oath that each answer given on the form is a true one. Training of volunteers, particularly of those in their early years of service, is closely supervised and access to weapons and ammunition is, at all times, strictly controlled. All applicants are additionally subjected to stringent medical examinations.

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