To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 21 May 2003, Official Report, column 785W, on reserve forces, what is being done to remedy the shortfall of reservists; what assessment he has made of the reasons for the difference in the level of shortfall in the three services; and if he will break down the shortfall by (a) rank and (b) branch. [116487]

The Volunteer Reserve Forces run vigorous recruiting campaigns to meet their requirements for manpower each year. The approaches they adopt reflect their differing requirements. The Territorial Army recruits continuously throughout the year, with a surge effort in the spring. Local radio, press and regional events are used, as well as campaigns combined with the Regulars. The Royal Naval Reserve and Royal Auxiliary Air Force recruit on a unit basis, with budgets specifically allocated for this purpose. The Royal Auxiliary Air Force recruits on an ad-hoc basis as and when vacancies arise.The level of shortfall in each of the Volunteer Reserve Forces varies. Each has different requirements and looks for different skills, which affects their recruitment. The Royal Naval Reserve, Royal Marine Reserve and Royal Auxiliary Air Force are smaller, and recruit for a specialised reserve. They therefore have limited opportunities that arise in specific parts of the country where units are based. As a larger organisation, the Territorial Army has a nationwide footprint and uses general, as well as specialist, skills. We will be examining whether we can use the experience of Operation TELIC to see if there are lessons to be identified that may aid recruiting across the reserves.

	Establishment		Strength
Arm/Service	Officer	Soldier	Officer	Soldier	FTRS and Mobilised	Percentage manned
Royal Armoured Corps	155	1,161	126	1,007	186	100
Royal Artillery	248	2,823	244	2,612	110	96
Royal Engineers	347	2,908	249	2,135	484	88
Royal Signals	499	4,727	389	3,692	267	81
Infantry	519	7,442	475	6,953	547	100
Army Air Corps	32	125	44	72	1	74
Royal Army Chaplains Department	87	0	67	0	10	88
Royal Logistic Corps	625	6,638	409	3,899	1,294	77
Royal Army Medical Corps	3,533	2,968	1,452	2,415	905	73
Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers	122	1,530	98	1,148	246	98
Adjutant General Corps	73	359	51	264	79	91
Royal Army Veterinary Corps	14	0	8	0	0	57
Intelligence Corps	113	437	61	323	121	92
Others	619	141	534	156	66	100

Information for the Royal Naval Reserve, Royal Marine Reserve and Royal Auxiliary Air Force is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.