MOD/Employer/Employee Relations
24. The MoD stresses that the Sponsored Reserve concept
"will only succeed if there is close liaison between the
Sponsored Reservist's unit, the employer, and the Army Personnel
Centre"[84]
and the pamphlet clearly sets out what is expected from all sides.
In the National Employers Liaison Committee (NELC) the MoD have
a dedicated organisation which "provides advice to Ministers
on the measures that are needed to secure and maintain the support
of employers for the volunteer reserve forces."[85]
The National Employers Liaison Committee are in a position
to provide valuable assistance to the MoD in the establishment
of this new form of Reservist and we will expect to see evidence
of thorough consultation between the two organisations during
the establishment of the Sponsored Reserves.
25. The MoD believe that the Regulations, overall,
are fair and proportionate to the risk to operational effectiveness,
that the effects of these regulations on business will be cost-neutral,
and that it will "greatly assist business consideration of
the MoD's invitations to negotiate on contracts with the potential
for use of sponsored reservist manpower."[86]
Notwithstanding our continued belief that, in the first instance,
reservist roles should be given to existing volunteer reserves,[87]
the MoD appears to be making progress in resolving some of our
initial concerns. In particular we are impressed with the Sponsored
Reserve Regulations pamphlet, which is a clearly written and informative
document. However, only when Sponsored Reserves have been "combat
tested" will we be in a position to evaluate their benefit
to the armed forces.
84 Sponsored Reserves Regulations p 14 Back
85
Ev p 39 Back
86
Ev p 41 Back
87
Eighth Report, Session 1997-98, The Strategic Defence Review,
HC138-I, para 273 Back
|
