§ Mr. BrazierTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what powers commanding officers in Territorial Army units have(a) currently and (b) as envisaged under the new management strategy to appoint and dismiss civilian employees such as secretaries, clerks and storemen; and whether under NMS such commanding officers will be allowed to transfer funds between civilian posts and other options, such as buying secretarial services from an agency.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonCurrently, commanding officers of Territorial Army units may appoint industrial employees only within complement and funding limits. No powers of dismissal are delegated below rank of Colonel. No change in these personnel management arrangements is planned under NMS, but funds may be transferred by a budget holder between a range of resources to enable a service to be provided in the most efficient manner. Commanding officers of Territorial Army units will not be budget holders under NMS and will not, therefore, have powers to transfer funds.