21 May 07. Territorial Army (TA): Parliamentary Group Report. The All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Reserve Forces published (21 May 07) the first of two Parts of a Report entitled Recognising the Opportunity. Part 1 covers The Territorial Army and Part 2 is due to look at the Naval and Air Reserves. Having discussed how the under-strength TA is being misused, Part 1 concludes with 18 Recommendations (or suggestions for further action by the MoD).
Comment: The unofficial All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Reserve Forces was formed in June 2006 (“to defend the interests of Britain’s Reserve Forces….”) and should not be confused with the official Select Committee on Defence. The Report is not particularly well presented or informative and inclines towards TA self-pity. Copies of the Report can be obtained from the Internet (www.reserveforcesparliament.com). (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 0721, 28 May 07)
24 May 07. Nuclear Deterrent: Response to Report. The Defence Committee published (24 May 07) the Government’s Response to the Report on The Future of the UK’s Strategic Nuclear Deterrent (which had been published as HC 225 on 7 Mar 07). The Government Response acknowledges the Committee’s contribution to the debate over the replacement for the Trident D5 ballistic missiles and the Vanguard Class submarines.
Comment: The Response should be read in conjunction with the original Report, which was published in order “to inform the public debate by exploring the key issues and questions”.
Defence Committee publications are available on the Internet (at www.parliament.uk/defcom). Printed copies of the Response are available from TSO and from The Parliamentary Bookshop (Tel: 020-7219 3890) as HC 551. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 0721, 28 May 07)