§ Dr. MurrisonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 21 May 2003,Official Report, column 785W, on reserve forces, what is being done to remedy the shortfall of reservists; what assessment he has made of the reasons for the difference in the level of shortfall in the three services; and if he will break down the shortfall by (a) rank and (b) branch. [116487]
§ Dr. MoonieThe Volunteer Reserve Forces run vigorous recruiting campaigns to meet their requirements for manpower each year. The approaches they adopt reflect their differing requirements. The Territorial Army recruits continuously throughout the year, with a surge effort in the spring. Local radio, press and regional events are used, as well as campaigns combined with the Regulars. The Royal Naval Reserve and Royal Auxiliary Air Force recruit on a unit basis, with budgets specifically allocated for this purpose. The Royal Auxiliary Air Force recruits on an ad-hoc basis as and when vacancies arise.
The level of shortfall in each of the Volunteer Reserve Forces varies. Each has different requirements and looks for different skills, which affects their recruitment. The Royal Naval Reserve, Royal Marine Reserve and Royal Auxiliary Air Force are smaller, and recruit for a specialised reserve. They therefore have limited opportunities that arise in specific parts of the country where units are based. As a larger organisation, the 509W Territorial Army has a nationwide footprint and uses general, as well as specialist, skills. We will be examining whether we can use the experience of Operation TELIC to see if there are lessons to be identified that may aid recruiting across the reserves.
Establishment Strength Arm/Service Officer Soldier Officer Soldier FTRS and Mobilised Percentage manned Royal Armoured Corps 155 1,161 126 1,007 186 100 Royal Artillery 248 2,823 244 2,612 110 96 Royal Engineers 347 2,908 249 2,135 484 88 Royal Signals 499 4,727 389 3,692 267 81 Infantry 519 7,442 475 6,953 547 100 Army Air Corps 32 125 44 72 1 74 Royal Army Chaplains Department 87 0 67 0 10 88 Royal Logistic Corps 625 6,638 409 3,899 1,294 77 Royal Army Medical Corps 3,533 2,968 1,452 2,415 905 73 Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers 122 1,530 98 1,148 246 98 Adjutant General Corps 73 359 51 264 79 91 Royal Army Veterinary Corps 14 0 8 0 0 57 Intelligence Corps 113 437 61 323 121 92 Others 619 141 534 156 66 100 Information for the Royal Naval Reserve, Royal Marine Reserve and Royal Auxiliary Air Force is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.