HL Deb 12 October 1993 vol 549 c18WA
Lord Hacking

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What proposals they have for the future use of the Reserve Forces.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Viscount Cranborne)

Her Majesty's Government are today publishing the MoD's proposals for the future use of the Reserve Forces in a consultative document entitledBritain's Reserve Forces: A Framework for the Future. This document sets out our proposals for making better use of the Reserves from all three Services. It includes proposals to enable more flexible use to be made of reserves on operations in peacetime, and reviews the relationship between the Ministry of Defence, the Reservist, and his or her employer.

The proposals form a policy framework for the use of reserves. Their implementation would require primary legislation which we hope to introduce in 1994–95.

I commend the document to the House; copies are available in the Library and from the Vote Office. The proposals in it provide a basis for consultation, and comments and views from all those with an interest will be welcomed. Responses are invited by 23rd November.