Oral Answers to Questions

David Morris Excerpts

Monday 13th July 2015 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Griffiths (Burton) (Con)]

3. What progress he has made on recruitment to the reserve forces.

[David Morris (Morecambe and Lunesdale) (Con)]

4. What progress he has made on recruitment to the reserve forces.

[Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley) (Con)]

15. What steps he is taking to ensure that reserve forces are at full strength.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Brazier]

I share my hon. Friend’s delight both at the announcement of the 2% commitment and at the fact that we have been able to save the centre in Burton. He will be aware that 4 Mercian, which has a detachment there, has recently been deployed in a number of interesting exercises, as well as providing two formed platoons for an operational deployment in Cyprus.

[David Morris]

What progress has the Department made in getting employers to recognise the benefits of their employees becoming reservists, and of hiring reservists?

[Mr Brazier]

This year, we have already awarded 160 new bronze awards and 25 new silver awards for employers. We are also building links between companies in industry sectors and their equivalent reserves. For example, the Royal Signals is formalising links with BT, Vodafone, HP and Virgin Media; Defence Medical Services has an excellent arrangement with the NHS; and the Military Provost Service is partnering with Serco.