§ Mr. JenkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of staff of his Department are members of the Territorial forces; and if he has a strategy to encourage members of staff to become members of the Territorial forces. [44072]
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§ Dr. MoonieDetails of those civil servants within the Ministry of Defence with a Reserve Forces liability are not held centrally and could he provided only at disproportionate cost.
An important element of the MOD"s ongoing campaign to strengthen and encourage the Reserve Forces is to highlight the development benefits that Reserve Forces" training and experience can offer to individuals and, consequently, their employers. These benefits are highlighted within my own Department and staff are encouraged to consider a whole range of volunteering activities, including the Reserve Forces, as part of their personal and career development. Managers within the MOD are required to support those with reserve commitments and by so doing we aim to set a positive example to other employers.