Reserve Recruitment Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

Reserve Recruitment

Derek Twigg Excerpts
Monday 17th November 2014

(9 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Julian Brazier Portrait Mr Brazier
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My hon. Friend is absolutely right. It is a 60% increase over six months, and as the bulk of that occurred during the most recent quarter, it is almost a doubling in that period. He is absolutely right. It is a tremendous turnaround after years of decline under the previous Government.

Derek Twigg Portrait Derek Twigg (Halton) (Lab)
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I thank the Minister for reversing the daft proposal to close the TA centre in Widnes following my representations. Does he have any concerns about how Capita is working? For example, a constituent of mine has applied to join the regulars but has been given four separate dates verbally and has still not been able to join the Army. Is not the problem with Capita as well?

Julian Brazier Portrait Mr Brazier
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Will the hon. Gentleman, for whom I have the greatest respect, write to me so that I can look into that individual case? We have had a number of delays in the system. We are sorting those out, and the process is now working much faster for both regulars and reservists, but I would be grateful for a letter.