HC Deb 10 November 2003 vol 413 cc54-5W
Mr. Keetch

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Territorial Army troops have refused to serve after being called up since 1 January; and if he will make a statement.[136608]

Mr. Ingram

No members of the Territorial Army have refused to serve after being called up since 1 January.

Members of the TA can appeal against their call-out order and the Reserve Forces Act 1996 provides the right to both Reservists and employers to seek revocation, exemption from or deferral of mobilisation. Where appeals have not been approved, no member of the TA has refused to serve.

Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations from employers he has received expressing concern about how often members of the Territorial Army and the Reserves are called up for military service; and what reports he has received of employers refusing to employ such people. [137725]

Mr. Caplin

To date, the Ministry of Defence has only received one representation from an employer expressing concern about how often members of the Reserve Forces are called-out for military service.

Our experience of Operation Telic has shown that employers are very supportive of the Reserve Forces. Only a very small number of employers have stated that they would not wish to employ reservists. Indeed, as a result of the call-out of reservists to support Operation Telic, the Supporting Britain's Reservists and Employers campaign team continues to be contacted by employers who wish to register as a supportive employer.

Angus Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) where each unit of each(a) regular and (b) Territorial Army Royal Engineer Regiment is (i) based and (ii) deployed; and if he will make a statement; [136637]

(2) if he will list the units deployed in Iraq of each (a)regular and (b) Territorial Army Royal Engineer Regiment; where in Iraq they are deployed; what their mission goals are; and if he will make a statement. [136638]

Mr. Caplin

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