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Defence in the United Kingdom

I know from my own constituency experience, because I have Tidworth in my constituency, that there has been much progress in terms of Army housing—I have been asking a lot of questions about that. I have been surprised to find out how many Army houses are empty at the moment. That is something that the MOD should address for the reasons that the hon. Gentleman gives. If the Minister hoped that the cracks in the armed forces could be papered over by the use of reserves, I suggest that he look again at the position in which the reserve forces find themselves today. They have done a tremendous job, but those serving voluntarily have been steadily leaving, causing a crisis for both the Territorial Army and the regular Army, which it increasingly supports. Can the Minister confirm reports that an average of 500 men and women a month have left the TA since October 2003? The TA’s current strength is 35,500, the lowest since it was founded in 1907, whereas the required strength is 41,610. Can he confirm the report that the recent £3 million television advertising campaign, which shows that the Government know that they must have more men and women in the reserves, brought in fewer than 600 candidates?