Written question asked by Lindsay Hoyle (Labour) on Wednesday, 12 January 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 13 January 2000. It was answered by Lord Spellar (Labour) on Thursday, 13 January 2000 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the outcome of the feasibility study into compulsory mobilisation of the Territorial Army to sustain peace support operations in the Balkans.

Answer: Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the outcome of the feasibility study into compulsory mobilisation of the Territorial Army to sustain peace support operations in the Balkans. [105415] Mr. Spellar: The Feasibility Study has concluded that compulsory mobilisation is feasible in both legal and practical terms. This will enable the TA to make a major contribution to front-line operations and reflects and supports the intent of the Strategic Defence Review that the Territorial Army should be usable. At the same time, as a result of the reduction in UK force levels in the Balkans, we jude that compulsory mobilisation is not operationally necessary at this time. We will keep the possibility of compulsory mobilisation under constant review in the light of the prevailing operational conditions.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 342 c207-8W; 105415
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Armed forces Deployment Peacekeeping operations Reserve forces Balkans Territorial Army