To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the statement by Lord Tunnicliffe on 28 April (Official Report, House of Lords, cols. 120–23) concerning Territorial Army soldiers whose posts are removed, how many soldiers have successfully been reassigned; and how many have ceased serving with the Territorial Army. [HL4089]

Consultation with the trades unions on which posts are likely to be removed as a consequence of the strategic review of reserves and the planning round measures began on 1 June. Formal staff notification of unit closures will be made on 30 September 2009 and no posts will be removed before that date.

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many Territorial Army soldiers claim to have been dismissed by their civilian employers, in each year since 2003. [HL4090]

There is no requirement for any member of the Reserve Forces or their employers to inform the Ministry of Defence if they have been dismissed by their civilian employers. Therefore the department does not hold records relating to this.

To ask Her Majesty's Government under what circumstances legal and financial support will be made available to Territorial Army soldiers who are involved in litigation over unfair dismissal from civilian employment. [HL4091]

Generally civil legal aid funding is available if the case is within the scope of the scheme and the statutory tests of means and merits are met. Legal aid for representation is not normally available for employment tribunals, although it can be authorised by the Lord Chancellor in exceptional circumstances. This is because employment tribunal procedures have been designed to allow people to prepare and present their own cases. Legal help (the advice and assistance level of legal aid) is available, subject to the means test. This provides advice to clients on tribunal procedures and assists them to prepare case papers and obtain counsel's opinion if appropriate. Legal aid for representation is available for the employment appeal tribunal.