§ Mr. Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of his Department's civilian employees are member of(a) the Territorial Army and (b) other reserve forces. [78516]
§ Mr. Doug HendersonMOD encourages its civilian employees to join the reserve forces and staff regulations make special provisions for paid leave when attending annual camp and other training commitments. However, the information asked for is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the companies which support the Territorial Army by allowing their employees to serve.[78517]
§ Mr. Doug HendersonThe National Employers' Liaison Committee maintains a list of all employers who declare their support for the volunteer reserve forces and I shall place a copy of the current list in the Library of the House. Not all employers on the list necessarily have reservists in their workforce but, having declared their support, they are likely to be supportive of anyone wanting to join the reserve forces. On 17 March 1999, my 435W right hon. Friend the Prime Minister presented a certificate to the 6,000th employer to have pledged support. Some 70 per cent. of the nation's workforce are employed by employers who have declared their support for the volunteer reserve forces. In addition, there are many employers who have not formally pledged their support but do have employees who are members of the volunteer reserve forces.