HC Deb 13 November 1968 vol 773 cc376-7
4. Mr. Allason

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many officers, by rank, have applied to leave each of the Services under the latest redundancy arrangements; and how these numbers compare with the numbers of vacancies in each rank.

Mr. Reynolds

As the Answer contains a number of figures, I propose, with permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Allison

Do these figures represent a scramble to get out? What reassurance has the right hon. Gentleman for serving officers that they can have a worth-while, full-time career?

Mr. Reynolds

I completely disagree with any suggestion that there is a scramble, as the hon. Gentleman will see when the figures are published in the OFFICIAL REPORT tomorrow. In some areas, there are more applications than vacancies, but there is certainly no scramble.

Following is the Answer:

The answer for the current phase is as follows:

Applications for redundancy Number of redundancies
Royal Navy Nil Nil
Army
Brigadier 13 8
Colonel 29 22
Lt.-Colonel 89 30
Major 449 339
Quartermaster 108 56
Royal Air Force
Gp Captains 3 2
Sqn Leaders and below 55 Sqn Ldrs 3 100
Fit Lts 51
F/O 1