§ Mr. GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 6 March,Official Report, column 336, when and for what reason the annual reporting exercise for Army reservists was suspended; when it will be resumed; what was the total expenditure on payment to Army reservists attending the annual reporting exercise in the last year for which figures are available; what assessment he has made of the effects of the suspension on the quick and effective mobilisation of reservists when required; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe annual reporting exercise for Army reservists was suspended in January. A new strategy for individual reservists is being developed as a result of the restructuring of the Army and in the light of the consultative open government document "The Future of Britain's Reserve Forces" which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence published on 5 March. As part of this work we are looking afresh at arrangements for annual reporting. Payment of grant to Army reservists608W reporting during 1990–91 amounted to £4,700,000. The short-term suspension of annual reporting is considered acceptable given the changes in the threat, concept and readiness requirements.