HC Deb 23 February 1987 vol 111 cc144-5W
Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the average age of a major general in the British Army;

(2) what is the average age of a brigadier in the British Army;

(3) what is the average age of a lieutenant colonel in the British Army;

(4) what is the average age of a colonel in the British Army;

(5) what is the average age of a major in the British Army;

(6) what is the average age of a lieutenant general in the British Army;

(7) what is the average age of a general in the British Army.

Mr. Freeman

The average ages by rank from major upwards of officers in the British Army at 31 December 1986 were as shown in the table:

Rank Average age
Major 41
Lieutenant colonel 45
Colonel 49
Brigadier 50
Major general 52
Lieutenant general 54
General 57

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether age is taken into account when assessing an officer's suitability for promotion.

Mr. Freeman

Age is one of the factors which may be taken into account in determining whether an individual should be promoted.

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the ability of officers over the age of 50 years to direct operations above unit level in a conventional war on the central front.

Mr. Freeman

Assessments of all officers' abilities are made annually in confidential reports.