Territorial Army (Hansard, 20 July 1998)

§ 15. Mrs. Laing
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Territorial Army centres have been identified for(a) closure and (b) sale as part of his Department's efficiency savings. [49591]

§ Dr. Reid
Prior to the announcement of the Strategic Defence Review, and following its normal annual assessment of the usage of its assets my Department had identified 18 Territorial Army centres for closure and subsequent sale. In addition, and as an element of the424W Strategic Defence Review, we have already announced that the Duke of York's Headquarters in Chelsea will be sold and its Territorial Army occupants re-accommodated as necessary. Further closures will arise from the forthcoming restructuring of the Territorial Army, but we do not expect to be in a position to announce these until the autumn.

§ Mr. Webb
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the likely effects of the measures announced in the Strategic Defence Review on the effectiveness of the Territorial Army. [49576]

§ Dr. Reid
The aim of the Strategic Defence Review has been to ensure that our forces are more capable of performing their primary defence tasks. The conclusions we have reached are designed to increase the utility and efficacy of our Armed Forces, of which our Reserve Forces are an important and fully integrated part. The improvements made by the Review will, therefore, enhance the effectiveness of the Territorial Army in the new strategic setting.

§ Mr. Hoyle
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Strategic Defence Review, if he will make a statement on the future of the Territorial Army in Chorley. [51030]

§ Dr. Reid
[holding answer 17 July 1998]Following the announcement of the results of the Strategic Defence Review, work has now commenced to establish the future organisation and structure of the Territorial Army. It is too early to say how this work will affect TA units in any particular area, but we expect to be in a position to make detailed announcements by the Autumn.

§ Mr. Blunt
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate how many fewer men and women on current retention rates will have served in the Territorial Army by the end of the year 2015 under the Government's plans for the future establishment of the TA compared to the current establishment. [49578]

§ Dr. Reid
We estimate that, based on current retention rates, some 68,000 fewer individuals will have served in the Territorial Army by the end of 2015 under our plans for the future establishment of the TA compared to the current establishment. This will represent a decline of no more than around 6 per cent. in the number of people who will have had some experience in the forces—excluding those gaining experience with the Combined Cadet Corps in schools.