HC Deb 05 December 1985 vol 88 cc350-1W
Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost of training a fast jet navigator for the Royal Air Force.

Mr. Norman Lamont

The average cost to the Ministry of Defence of training a student navigator to the point when he joins an operational fast jet squadron is approximately £1 million (at 1984–85 prices).

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many navigators serving with the Royal Air Force have left the Royal Air Force since January 1985 in each month and in total, or have expressed a desire to leave the service;

(2) how many navigators in the current year have expressed a desire to leave the Royal Air Force without completing their engagements;

(3) how many navigators have left the Royal Air Force since January without completing their engagement.

Mr. Norman Lamont

Sixty-nine navigators have left the service during the current year, 30 of whom have left on premature voluntary retirement. During the same period, 46 navigators have indicated a desire to leave on PVR at some future date.

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many pilots have left the Royal Air Force since January, in each month and in total, or have expressed a desire to leave the service;

(2) how many pilots have expressed a desire to leave the Royal Air Force without completing their engagement;

(3) how many pilots have left the Royal Air Force since January without completing their engagement.

Mr. Norman Lamont

147 pilots have left the service during the current year, 58 of whom have left on premature voluntary retirement. During the same period, 89 pilots have indicated a desire to leave on PVR at some future date.