Reserve Forces Act 1996

54Call out for warlike operations

(1)The Secretary of State may make an order authorising the calling out of members of a reserve force if it appears to him that warlike operations are in preparation or progress.

(2)A call-out order under this section—

(a)shall specify a date, not more than 12 months from the day on which the order is made, on which the order is (unless an order under subsection (3) is made) to cease to authorise the call out of any person who is not in service under the order; and

(b)shall have effect (subject to paragraph (a) or to any order under subsection (3)) until it is revoked.

(3)The Secretary of State may, before the date specified in the call-out order under subsection (2)(a), make an order providing that a call-out order under this section shall cease to authorise the call out of any person who is not in service under the order.

(4)The restriction of the effect of a call-out order under this section—

(a)by an order under subsection (3), or

(b)by subsection (2)(a),

shall not affect the operation of any call-out notice served on any person before the day on which the order under subsection (3) is made or, as the case may be, the day specified in the call-out order.

(5)The Secretary of State may make an order revoking a call-out order under this section (whether or not its effect has been restricted as mentioned in subsection (4)).

(6)Where an order under subsection (5) revoking a call-out order is made—

(a)the call-out order shall cease to authorise the calling out of anyone who could otherwise be called out on the authority of that order (including anyone served with a call-out notice before the order under subsection (5) is made who has not been accepted into service); and

(b)any person in service under the call-out order shall be entitled to be released.

(7)The making of any call-out order under this section, or any order under subsection (3) or (5), shall be reported forthwith to each House of Parliament.