HC Deb 21 February 2000 vol 344 cc737-8W
Mr. William Ross

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) on how many occasions in the last six months units of the Territorial Army have travelled from Northern Ireland to Great Britain for training purposes; and on how many of these visits the unit did not have (a) its own weapons and (b) an armed escort; [110900]

(2) how many personal protection weapons held by the members of the Territorial Army in Northern Ireland have been withdrawn from (a) serving members and (b) former members of the Territorial Army in the last six months. [110901]

Mr. Spellar

I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Mr. Waterson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to encourage recruitment to the Territorial Army. [109421]

Mr. Spellar

A national and regional recruiting campaign for the Territorial Army is to be launched on 18 February. This campaign will include television, radio and cinema advertising, use of the Press both nationally and locally, and a targeted "Member for Member" personal invitation scheme. There will also be a National TA Day on 25 March on which all TA Units throughout the country will open their doors to the general public to enable them to get a first-hand idea of what membership of the TA can offer them.