Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on the (a) training of and (b) equipment provided to reserve members of the armed forces. [124907]

Mr Francois, Minister of State, Ministry of Defence [holding answer 25 October 2012]:Reserve members of the armed forces receive appropriate training, which is a mandatory requirement as set out in the Reserve Forces Act 1996. Reserve personnel are trained to a standard so they can be called into permanent service if required and this training is conducted in a phased approach arranged by the single services.

As the Reserves become more integrated with the regular armed forces they will increasingly utilise the same equipment. Some Territorial Army units are now receiving new equipment, such as vehicles and radios.

In addition £1.8 billion has been allocated over the next 10 years to ensure that reservists will receive the kit and the training they need to meet their future roles.

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