Reserve Forces Act 1996

38Purpose of Part V

(1)This Part enables employees, in pursuance of arrangements between their employers and the Secretary of State, to enter into employee agreements and become special members of a reserve force.

(2)In this Part, references to an employee agreement are references to a written agreement by which a person agrees to accept the liability mentioned in section 40(1) by becoming a special member of a reserve force specified in the agreement.

(3)Orders or regulations under section 4 may make provision—

(a)enabling a person to enlist in, or become an officer of, a reserve force for the purpose only of becoming a special member;

(b)as to any terms and conditions applicable to such a person, and for applying or disapplying any provisions of this Act, while such a person is a member of the force for that purpose;

(c)enabling the making of requests by a special member (whether before or after ceasing to be subject to the liability mentioned in section 40(1)) for permission to continue as a member of his force on ceasing to be a special member;

(d)as to any terms and conditions applicable to a special member who has ceased to be subject to the liability mentioned in section 40(1);

(e)as to the terms and conditions on which persons resume or begin service as ordinary members of a reserve force by virtue of section 42.

(4)Before orders or regulations under section 4 are made as to the terms and conditions of service of special members of a reserve force, the Secretary of State or, in the case of regulations, the Defence Council shall consult—

(a)one or more bodies appearing to that authority to represent the interests of employers concerned with the supply of goods or services to the armed forces;

(b)one or more bodies or persons appearing to that authority to represent the interests of employees of such employers; and

(c)one or more bodies or persons appearing to that authority to represent the interests of self-employed persons concerned with the supply of goods or services to the armed forces.