Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will improve security at (a) Army Reserve centres and (b) cadet organisations that house weapons for small arms training or drill practice.

Physical security is being improved at Reserve Forces and Cadets Association (RFCA) locations by the Army through the delivery of Project Aintree; a rolling programme of upgrades to armouries and ammunition stores to ensure they are compliant with Home Office legislation and the MOD's security policy.

The Army's security assurance regime includes all RFCA units, and all staff receive mandated security training in respect to weapons and ammunition. As part of the continuous improvement process, the Army is developing a security education video which is focused on improving the security culture of Cadet adult volunteers.

In 2019, following a review of Cadet weapon security, the MODs Directorate of Security & Resilience directed the Army relocate its holdings of Cadet s1 and s5 weapons[1] to reduce its risk exposure whilst physical security upgrades continue to be implemented.

[1] As defined in the Firearms Act 1968