HC Deb 28 April 1978 vol 948 cc715-6W
Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what number of non-commissioned officers and other ranks in each of the three Services have bought themselves out or have requested to leave the Services prematurely in each of the last three years.

Dr. Gilbert

The Services handle applications for premature voluntary release differently and it is not possible to give comparable figures for the total numbers of Service men who have applied to leave prematurely. The number who have actually left at their own request, prior to the completion of their engagement, including those who have purchased their premature voluntary release, is as follows:

Royal Navy/ Royal Marines Army Royal Air Force
1975–76 1,909 4,174 l,628
1976–77 1,633 3,750 1,749
1977–78 1,631 5,125 1,99[...]

Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what number of officers in each of the three Services have asked for or taken premature retirement in each of the last three years.

Dr. Gilbert

The number of officers who have applied for premature voluntary release from the services in each of the last three years is as follows:

Royal Navy/ Royal Marines Army Royal Air Force
1975–76 182 539 472
1976–77 270 509 497
1977–78 307 908 778
* Latest figure

The number who have left on premature voluntary release in each year is:

Royal Navy Royal Marines Army Royal Air Force
1975–76 228 604 427
1976–77 223 561 395
1977–78 265 689 414

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