The Structure of the TAVRAS
39. At present there are 14 TAVRAs covering the United
Kingdom. As part of the MoD's proposals it is considering reducing
this number to twelve. The MoD argue that as the number of Reserves
that the TAVRAs administer has been reduced so a proportionate
reduction in the number of TAVRAs is a logical consequence.[128]
However, our witnesses from the TAVRAs dispute this logic. They
argue that although the establishment of the TA is being reduced
they still have a substantial commitment to the Cadets of all
three services, as well as the other volunteer reserve forces.
Colonel Putnam explained
Although the TA may have been cut by 34 per cent
the TAVRAs' responsibility has not been cut by 34 per cent because
in most cases more than 50 per cent is geared to the Cadets and
certainly more than 50 per cent of our overall staff are concerned
with managing the cadet forces and not the Territorial Army.[129]
40. The TAVRAs in principle do not see a reduction
in the number of Associations as an insuperable problem.[130]
They argued that their concerns were based not on the number of
Associations, but on their geographical boundaries.[131]
In particular, they were worried that the TAVRAs' boundaries may
be redrawn to fit those of the Regular Army's Regional Commands.[132]
This, they argue would result in some of the Associations being
too large to be effectively administered. One example given was
that under such an arrangement TAVRA representatives would have
to administer an Association that would stretch from Berwick-upon-Tweed
down to the Wash.[133]
41. Colonel Taylor also pointed out that aligning
the boundaries of the Regional Land Command and the TAVRAs would
leave the TAVRA structure dependent upon the regional structure
of the regular Army
The danger of aligning 12 TAVRAs with the 12 existing
brigades is what happens next time there is a brigade boundary
change, have the TAVRAs got to change? If you accept that argument
now then they probably will have to.[134]
While there may be apparent administrative benefits
to Land Command in matching the boundaries of the TAVRAs to its
own regional commands, we also fear that the MoD would like the
boundaries to be co-terminous so that the Chain of Command could
administer each Association more closely, paving the way to closer
control of each Association's funds. The Minister was well aware
of this argument, but did not believe it stood up.[135]
Even so, co-terminous boundaries could "blur" the distinction
between the two organisations which would be to the detriment
of all concerned. Our suspicions were strengthened by the MoD's
written evidence which stated
For the future, although we assess that a degree
of separateness is justified (and will be maintained) between
funding for the TA that is delegated to the TAVRAs and such funding
delegated to the chain of command, the present system does make
it hard to make judgements on relative priorities between, for
example, TA works costs and TA training costs which are met through
these different channels. Without removing the advantages that
derive from the TAVRA system, the new arrangements we are discussing
are designed to go some way to overcoming these disadvantages
by bringing the TAVRAs and chain of command closer together.[136]
As we said in our Report on the Strategic Defence
Review, the TAVRAs provide a strong independent voice to champion
the cause of all the Reserve force elements. The seductive logic
of administrative convenience which may be driving their reorganisation
should not be the determining factor in making decisions.[137]
Furthermore, it should be not be forgotten that the TAVRAs also
provide administrative support to the Royal Naval Reserve and
the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. In reforming the TAVRAs, the
MoD must not lose sight of the fact that the Associations are
independent volunteer Associations and as such must be given the
opportunity to organise their own affairs by their own lights
to deliver what the Chain of Command asks from them. Imposing
co-terminous boundaries with the Regional Command on the Associations
will, we believe, serve to undermine the independence of
the TAVRAs and make them less efficient. We can see no benefits
to the TAVRAs in such a proposal.
128 Q 217 Back
129
Q 75 Back
130
Q 74 Back
131
QQ 71-77 Back
132
QQ 72-75 Back
133
Q 72 Back
134
Q 75 Back
135
Q 208 Back
136 Ev
p 36 Back
137 Eighth
Report, Session 1997-98, The Strategic Defence Review,
HC 138-I, para 428 Back
|