§ Sir Keith SpeedTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the present and proposed tasks for(a) the Royal Naval Reserve, (b) the Royal Marines Reserve, (c) the Territorial Army and (d) the RAF Reserve; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe Royal Naval Reserve exists to augment the Royal Navy with trained personnel in times of tension and general war. Its present major tasks are the defence of ports and anchorages; naval control of shipping; the provision of naval parties for ships taken up from trade; and the manning of ships of the 10th mine counter-measures squadron. The main purpose of the Royal Marines Reserve is to provide trained reinforcements to bring units of commando forces up to full war establishment on mobilisation. The Territorial Army provides formed units and sub-units, and some individuals, to complete the mobilised army order of battle. Some units would form part of the Allied Command Europe rapid reaction corps, and others contribute to the direct defence of the United Kingdom. The mobilisation tasks of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force and Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve are to support the Royal Air Force with units, squadrons and flights in the maritime headquarters, ground defence, am movements, aeromedical evacuation, intelligence support, photographic interpretation, foreign language interrogation, and public relations roles, and with a small number of air electronics operators for Nimrod maritime patrol duties.
Work is continuing on the future role of the Reserves and proposals will be announced to the House later in the year.