John Baron MP asks Government to honour Parliamentary vote over Army reforms

Viability of reserve plan extensively questioned in the House of Commons

Today during Defence Questions in the House of Commons, John Baron MP asked the Secretary of State for Defence, Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP, about plans to cut the Army. The Government intends to replace 20,000 regular troops with 30,000 reservists before knowing whether such a plan will work – reserve recruitment targets are being missed, and costs are rising. The issue was raised by colleagues on both sides of the House, and by the Labour and Liberal front benches.

John asked,

“Parliament recently sent a very clear message to Government – the vote was 92-0 – not to disband regular units until we were sure the Army reserve plan was both viable and cost-effective. What plans have the Government to enact Parliament’s will?”

The Secretary of State said the MoD had to operate within its resource envelope, and that the reforms would be going ahead.

John said afterwards,

“The Government should respect Parliament’s vote, and stop now the axing of the regular battalions before it is too late. All the evidence suggests that reserve recruitment targets are being missed, costs are rising, and that the reservists will not be able to plug the resulting gap for a number of years.”

Ends

Word Count: 221

Date: 4^th November 2013

Notes to Editors:

• John secured a back bench debate on the Government’s army reforms on 17^th October. The vote was won 92-0, and the full debate is online at: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm131017/debtext/131017-0002.htm#13101777000690.