§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what advice and facilities such as telephones and stationery are provided for service personnel undergoing resettlement training to seek outside employment; and what arrangements are made for personnel to have access to newspapers and magazines which publish job vacancies;
(2) how many service personnel are currently undergoing resettlement training; in how many places such training is being undertaken; what types of training are offered; what are the minimum and maximum days of training offered; and what budget allocation has been made to pay for such resettlement training;
(3) what representations he has received about the current provision for resettlement training; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonAll service personnel coming to the end of their careers are advised individually on how best to prepare themselves for civilian life. In addition, everyone who leaves after more than five years' service is entitled to a comprehensive resettlement package. This comprises
Briefings on how to go about finding a new job, on specific second careers, on home purchase, on personal finance and on other aspects of civilian life.The opportunity to spend some time on attachment to an employing organisation in order to gain civilian work experience.A pre-release resettlement period of 28 days on full pay which can be used for any resettlement-related activity, including attendance at a wide range of training courses. These courses take place at the resettlement training centres at Aldershot and Catterick and at many other locations.Assistance with job finding through the Services Employment Network, the Officers Association or the Regular Forces Employment Association.About 19,500 sevice personnel will be entitled to this help during 1992–93, and most of them will take advantage of at least some of what is available. The total direct cost in 1992–93 will be about £4 million. As part of this process, personnel are encouraged to consult newspapers and magazines which publish job vacancies. In addition, the Service Employment Network of the Ministry of Defence publishes its own weekly "Resettlement Bulletin Vacancy Supplement" which contains details of specific jobs. It is not MOD policy to make telephones or stationery specifically available to those seeking jobs.
We are determined to ensure that the service we offer provides those leaving the armed forces with the best possible support, particularly at a time when a number of those leaving will have been made redundant. The package of measures that I have set out has therefore been revised thoroughly and enhanced in a number of ways. We are 732W continuing to consult widely within the armed forces and with other organisations which provide resettlement services to ascertain what more might be done.