§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of the Territorial Army remains available for mobilisation; how many TA soldiers this represents; and what proportion of the Territorial Army will be available for mobilisation at the start of 2004. [124497]
§ Mr. CaplinTaking into account those personnel who have,(a) already been mobilised for operational deployment; (b) are considered not yet Fit For Role (defined as the minimum level of training required for mobilisation); (c) are serving on full-time reserve Service: or (d) have already been deployed at some point over the last three years1; some 12,000 soldiers, or 30 per cent. of the Territorial Army remain available for compulsory mobilisation.
This figure does not take into account those members of the TA who would be prepared to volunteer to be mobilised, which could lead to a marked increase of the overall number of personnel available for mobilisation.
It is not possible to provide an accurate picture of what this figure will be in January 2004, as too many variables exist. We continue to keep the situation under review.
1Members of the TA may be compulsorily mobilized for 12 months over a three-year period, extendable in certain circumstances.