§ Ms. ShortTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many job losses and redundancies are planned in each of the armed services in each year to 1994 following "Options for Change"; how many applications for voluntary redundancy he has received from service personnel wanting to leave in the first phase of redundancies; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonBy 1995 we expect reductions of some 8,000 in the Royal Navy, 40,000 in the Army and 12,000 in the Royal Air Force. Details were given in the answer I gave the hon. Member for Clackmannan (Mr. O'Neill) on 21 November at columns 305–06.
§ Ms. ShortTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what specific provision he is making to assist those members of Her Majesty's forces who will be made redundant as a result of "Options for Change" to find future employment; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. Archie HamiltonResettlement services provided to assist service personnel to prepare for civilian life, including finding civilian employment, will be available to all those being made redundant. In addition to individual advice and counselling, these services include briefings on job finding and on a wide range of specific second careers; opportunities to undertake short familiarisation attach-ments with civilian organisations; 28 days pre-release vocational training in any of a large number of skills and disciplines which are useful in the civilian labour market; and assistance with job placement from our own employment unit, as well as from the Officers Association and the Regular Forces Employment Association, both of which receive financial support from the Ministry of Defence. We are making the necessary financial provision to cover the increase in demand for these services. Those leaving the regular forces also have access to Department of Employment services and facilities, including access to some programmes without the standard qualifying period of unemployment.
§ Ms. ShortTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what financial advice and assistance he is giving to those members of Her Majesty's forces who will lose their jobs and receive redundancy payments as a consequence of "Options for Change"; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe resettlement package includes the opportunity to attend one-day briefings specifically on financial aspects. These cover pay, pensions, insurance, investments and housing. Some additional briefings are being arranged to help meet the increased demand expected to arise from those being made redundant. In addition, in the Army further financial aspects briefings will be provided worldwide on a road-show basis, starting in March 1992. These will be specifically geared to the needs of those being made redundant, and all such personnel will be actively encouraged to attend.
§ Ms. ShortTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much in cash and constant prices has been spent on the resettlement service in each year since 1987–88 in each of the armed forces; and how much is projected to be spent in the period up to 1994.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonInformation is not available in the form requested.