HC Deb 20 November 1979 vol 974 cc104-5W
Mr. Ernie Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if, for the most convenient available date, he will give the total number of persons employed by his Department in each of the three Services; how many of these are on active service; how many are on reserve service; and how many are civilians.

Mr. Pym

The strengths of the Regular and Reserve Forces and the civilians supporting

RN/RM Army RAF
Regular personnel 71,600 168,200 87,400
Reserve personnel 35,500 197,300 28,500
Civilians 71,700 88,400 29,300

The figures are for the latest available dates—generally 30 September 1979. They include Gurkhas, locally entered Service personnel and civilians engaged locally overseas. Reserve strengths include both ex-Regulars with a Reserve liability and volunteers. In addition to the civilians shown there are some 90,700 employed in central staffs, the procurement executive and the Royal Ordnance Factories.