§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to revise the Reserve Forces70W (Safeguard of Employment) Act 1985, with particular reference to (a) simplifying the procedure, (b) taking into account loss of (i) pension and (ii) benefits and (c) the legal expenses required in progressing a defended case to a final hearing. [146181]
§ Mr. CaplinI refer the hon. Gentlemen to the latter part of my reply of 20 January 2004,Official Report, columns 1124–25W.
Once this examination is complete we shall discuss with the Department of Trade and Industry (which is responsible for administering the Reinstatement Committees under the 1985 Act) what, if any, revisions might be necessary.
§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what circumstances his Department provides legal assistance to reservists to seek redress when they have lost their employment allegedly as a consequence of mobilisation; and if he will make a statement. [148932]
§ Mr. CaplinThe Ministry of Defence does not provide legal advice or representation to reservists seeking reinstatement to their civilian employment under the terms of the Reserve Forces (Safeguard of Employment) Act 1985. It does, however, provide advice to reservists on their legal right to reclaim their civilian employment and how to seek reinstatement. Each reservist receives a copy of JSP 532, "Guidance for Reservists Returning to Civilian Employment Following a Period of Mobilised Service". The Supporting Britain's Reservists and Employers (SaBRE) campaign team provides a help line and a website which gives additional information and advice.
§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what evaluation has been made of the impact of the SaBRE campaign; and if he will make a statement. [R] [149423]
§ Mr. CaplinSince the launch of the SaBRE campaign in October 2002, there have been two substantial pieces of independent research on the impact and effectiveness of the campaign, both commissioned through COI Communications. The reports found that while employers' awareness of the campaign in its first year of existence was low, over 60 per cent. of companies who had been in contact with SaBRE felt that that contact had been positive and worthwhile. The lessons we learn from both these and future studies will form a central part of future SaBRE campaign activity.
§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many reservists from volunteer reserve units in(a) each of the three armed Services and (b) each of the 11 areas of the country tasked with aiding the civil authorities in handling major incidents have been mobilised for Operation Telic. [R] [149425]
§ Mr. CaplinThe number of Civil Contingencies Reaction Force (CCRF) members who are serving on Operation Telic by CCRF region is detailed in the table. In the time available, we have only been able to identify those individuals currently mobilised to support Operation Telic. All are members of the Territorial Army.
71W
Number 2 South East Brigade (Bde) 26 49 East of England Bde 126 145 Home Counties Bde 39 43 Wessex Bde 2 143 West Midlands Bde 33 160 Wales Bde 25 15 North East Bde (N) 99 15 North East Bde (S) 147 42 North West Bde (N) 21 42 North West Bde (S) 18 51 Scottish Bde (Highland) 45 51 Scottish Bde (Lowland) 34 London Regiment 150 Northern Ireland 10 1 Only to the extent that once a member is deployed, he is replaced.