Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions she has had with the Chairman of the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association on the contribution that associations make to the defence of the realm; and if she will make a statement.

As part of the review into the Reserve Forces and Cadets Associations (RFCAs) is currently under way, Ministry of Defence officials are in regular conversation with the Chairman of the Council of RFCAs and key staff at all thirteen RFCAs across the country. The review is looking into the functions carried out by the RFCAs and their contribution to Defence outputs, their efficiency and efficacy of delivery and corporate governance, and potential new tasks the RFCAs may be best placed to deliver on behalf of Defence.