To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact of the decision to cancel one exercise executive stretch in financial year 2007-08 and one in financial year 2008-09 on employer support for the Territorial Army. (143820)

The decision to postpone a number of executive stretch exercises is not judged likely to have a significant effect on employer support for the Army, although we recognise that this has caused some inconvenience and adverse reaction in those regions affected. Those affected by these postponements may be able to participate in other executive stretch exercises being run in adjoining regions, should there be spare capacity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact of (a) the decision to delay until 1 April 2009 the establishment of the Territorial Army units (i) 2nd Sqn, 6 AAC (V), (ii) 24 Sqn, 71 Regt RE (V), (iii) 129 Sqn, 73 Regt RE (V) and (iv) 280 Sqn, 162 MC Regt RLC (V) and (b) the delay in the development of further capability before 1 April 2009 of (A) 155 Tpt Regt RLC (V) and (B) 381 Med Sp Sqn, 166 Sup Regt RLC (V). (143821)

The decision to delay the establishment and development of further capability of those TA units listed is not expected to have an effect on the TA's ability to reach Full Operational Capability under Future Army Structures in line with my statement on TA rebalancing on 23 March 2006, Official Report, columns 427-28.