§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Strategic Defence Review Learning Forces initiative and the Staffordshire Regiment. [142150]
§ Mr. SpellarThe Strategic Defence Review (SDR) included a commitment to develop a learning culture in the armed forces through the Learning Forces Initiative (LFI). This initiative encourages learning and aims to furnish all Service personnel with the skills they need to make the best possible contribution during their Service careers and equip them to return to civilian life in due course. Soldiers of the Staffordshire Regiment, like all other Service personnel, are able to take advantage of these improved opportunities for learning. The Staffordshire Regiment is based in Tidworth which houses one of the four pilot Army Learning Centres where soldiers will have on-line access to a wide range of learning opportunities.