National service

Quite the opposite. The contributors, all widely respected individuals for their distinguished service to the country or their work in academia, note, with alarm, how defence cuts have the potential to impinge upon the viability of future missions.

In choosing to cut Army numbers from 100,000 to 82,000, the MoD said this shortfall could be made up by 30,000 TA reservists. Yet the reality is just 1,500 have the skills to perform combat duties.

This should not be seen as direct criticism of those deemed unsuitable for front line responsibilities in a theatre of war – they are individuals who combine full-time careers with their devotion to the TA and many never foresaw a time when the UK would be fighting on so many fronts.

And this is the dilemma facing the Government. While Britain prides itself on its military past, and its willingness to be an active participant in conflicts, the scale of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and the enforcement of the UN no-fly zone above Libya, could not have been predicted.

Yet, realistically, questions of manpower cannot be reconciled until the Government offers clarity on how it perceives Britain’s future role in the world and how, in light of the decision to prematurely scrap the HMS Ark Royal aircraft carrier, the movement and safety of all personnel can be safeguarded.

This should form the basis of Defence Secretary Philip Hammond’s response to a letter which has performed an invaluable service in exposing such serious, and far-reaching, shortcomings that are a matter of the greatest concern.