Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the role of the Reserves is (a) in dealing with civil contingencies and (b) generally; and if he will make a statement.

Reservists may be called up for any task for which a Regular may be used, such as resilience and security activities, recent examples including supporting the flooding effort whereby Reservists assisted during civil contingencies particularly with logistic support and building of defences. More recently Reservists were used during the Commonwealth Games to fulfil Venue Security roles.

The Reserves Forces Act 1996 also allows for Reservists to be deployed in permanent service under the provisions of the Act (and amended under the Defence Reform Act 2014) if deemed necessary including activities and operations in the UK and Overseas. Reservists have provided formed companies for duties in Cyprus and will also provide a formed platoon for the next rotation in Afghanistan, and work is under way to mobilise medical practitioners to assist with Ebola in Sierra Leone.

There is a statutory obligation to report to Parliament when a call out order is made.