Minutes of the All Party Group for Reserve Forces and Cadets Meeting 29 June 2010
Minutes of the All Party Group for Reserve Forces and Cadets Meeting 29 June 2010
AGM – Meeting to appoint new officers and to agree a future programme
Members present:
Julian Brazier MP (Chairing)
Desmond Swayne MP
Madeleine Moon MP
Jim Fitzpatrick MP
Andrew Miller MP
Robert Flello MP
Dr Therese Coffey MP
Penny Mordaunt MP
James Arbuthnot MP
James Gray MP
Peter Bottomley MP
Bob Stewart MP
Viscount Simon
Lord Crathorne
Clerks:
Col Hugh Purcell
Outside Attendees:
Election of Officers:
Apologies:
The Hon Nicholas Soames MP
Mark Francois MP
Roger Gale MP
Lord Ramsbotham
Clerks:
Col Hugh Purcell
Chairman’s Opening Remarks
The Chairman welcomed all to the meeting and asked everyone to introduce themselves. He then introduced Col Hugh Purcell, CE Greater London RFCA and the honorary clerk to the Group along with Kate Tattersall, his PA/Office Manager. Together they provide the administrative support to the Group.
Having agreed unanimously that Julian Brazier should remain as Chairman, the Chairman then made a request for new officers and the following were appointed:
Vice Chairmen:
Mark Lancaster
Tony Baldry
Madeleine Moon
Andrew Miller
Treasurer:
David Crausby
Secretary:
Dr Theresa Coffey
Rob Flello
Andrew Smith had kindly agreed to continue as president
The Chairman reminded members that the Group had been established some four years previously to generate interest in the Reserve Forces and to bring in new ideas. Cadets were added to the title just before Christmas 2009. Two influential studies had been carried out, which were available on the web site, and there had been a good interaction with the previous Government. He was therefore pleased that Liam Fox had indicated he wished to continue this interaction. He reported that Andrew Robathan, the Minister for the Armed Forces would attend the next meeting on 7 July and that Major General Greg Smith, the new ACDS Reserves & Cadets, would also attend.
The Chairman asked for ideas on how the group should progress and began by suggesting visits, on a drill night, to the following units in London that were located close to the House:
- 256 Field Hospital. They had recently returned from Afghanistan.
- 21 SAS. They had a squadron in Helmand last year and had won 2 x MCs.
All agreed they would be interested in these visits and Hugh Purcell was asked to arrange dates in October/November.
Madeleine Moon suggested talking to local RF&C groups to find out about any concerns or issues they had and whether or not they felt neglected or needed a stronger voice. The information gleaned would be fed back into the Group and ideas would be put together on how to help with any issues. All agreed this was a good idea. Andrew Miller suggested that the questions asked should be structured, decided upon beforehand and the same for each unit. Material could then be collated and answers prepared. The Chairman of the HCDC, whilst agreeing that there should be some formal questions, said that this should not restrict the visiting MP and that all avenues needed to be explored. He believed that the Group would be interested in what their constituents thought and in particular, if there were areas where they or their organisation could add greater value to Security/Defence. It was agreed to have an email dialogue before the Group (approximately 60 members) agreed to the formal set of questions to be asked. The questions would then be sent out nationally to all MPs.
The PMs PPS, Desmond Swayne, a serving TA officer, reported that MPs would be welcomed at their local drill halls and cadet huts and asked if there was any protocol to follow. Hugh Purcell stated that there was a simple process to be followed and the unit had to seek approval through the civil secretariat at that the regional military headquarters. He explained that it was also normal practice for him to write to any new MP introducing the RFCA and providing them with a list of units in their constituency with their contact details. As this was a new Parliament, he was in the process of writing to all of London’s 73 MPs and he would ensure that that his 12 fellow CEs would do likewise, if not already done. He would provide a copy of his letter for the Chairman.
The Chairman noted there was a total of 440 TA Units plus a further 23 RMR and RNR Units and small number of RAF Volunteer Reserve Units that should provide some interesting answers to the questions.
The Chair of the HCDC asked if the Group should be represented at Cadet functions; others murmured their agreement. The Chairman agreed but said that it was only possible to conduct one study at a time and the Reserves took priority. Hugh Purcell, who in a pro bono capacity is Chairman of YOU (Youth Organisation Uniform) London, suggested that the Group might like to take a wider view of uniformed cadets and this idea was echoed by several members. As YOU was being taken national under the Youth United banner, a briefing in the future might be appropriate.
Hugh Purcell also drew the Groups attention to the importance of the estate, the MOD’s rationalisation policy and the pressing need to get on with rationalisation. There was a need to ‘sweat every asset’ and to ensure that where a longer-term need was identified that the asset was given due consideration and not to embark on a fire sale. The Chairman reminded the Group of the need to maintain the Haldane Principle and if necessary to defend the RFCAs in this area.
The Chairman noted that the next meeting would be held at 3.30 on Wednesday 7th July.
He then thanked all for attending.
Colonel (Retd.) Hugh Purcell OBE DL, Honorary Clerk to the APGRF&C.