Lord Elliott of Ballinamallard (UUP)

My Lords, before my brief comments on this group of amendments, I want to pay tribute to the Minister for his attendance at the most westerly constituency of the United Kingdom last weekend in County Fermanagh, when he visited the two-day RAF recruitment event just outside Enniskillen. It was very successful. We had a huge number of interested organisations and a number of interested young people who clearly want to be part of the defence forces in the years to come, particularly the RAF. I thank the Minister for that. There are reasons to support these amendments, two of which we in Northern Ireland are very cognisant of, just as they are in Scotland and Wales: regionalism and localism. If you do not have local support and those who represent you, you do not feel part of it. That is a huge issue for the reserve forces and cadets associations, because these are people who may join or may at least have sympathy for our forces in the years and generations to come. It is about encouragement and ensuring that they have representation. It is important that that regionalisation and localisation is there for them. It is there for them, not just for us, and if they do not feel part of it, they will not participate fully in that process. It comes down to a number of issues. The reserve forces and cadets associations are hugely important not just for the future of the services but for discipline, commitment, loyalty and colleague support. Those are excellent values to give to young people, which they can promote to their peers, friends and colleagues. This is not only about the amendments; it goes much wider. RFCAs offer huge organisational support for the community and individuals. I witness so many people who do not have that discipline or commitment to their families, or, indeed, their community, but it is instilled within the reserve forces and cadets associations. I plead to the Minister and the Government to have a look at this. Maybe there are some tweaks and options to make this better, but please allow the people who are serving—reservists and those in the cadets associations—to feel part of things through that local support.