HC Deb 02 November 1989 vol 159 cc329-30W
Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the average period of time for which a service man remains in the rank of private or equivalent, for the latest year for which records exist and for each of the armed forces.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The average times spent in the rank of senior aircraftman (SAC) for those leaving the rank on promotion or exit during 1988–89 are given in the table. The time does not include time spent as an aircraftman (AC) or leading aircraftman (LAC). Similar figures are given for promotions during 1988 from able seaman (not including time spent as an ordinary seaman) and marine 1 (not including time spent as marine 2). The average time spent in the ranks of able seaman and marine 1 for those leaving the RN or RM during 1988 are not readily available. Figures for the Army are not readily available.

Average time (in years) spent in the ranks of Able Seaman/Marine 1/SAC
Total On promotion On exit
Able Seaman (1988) n.a. 4.7 n.a.
Marine 1 (1988) n.a. 5.7 n.a.
SAC (1988–89) 5.7 6.3 5–3

Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the average period of time for which a service man remains in the rank of Army captain or equivalent, for the latest year for which records exist and for each of the armed forces.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The average times spent in the rank of flight lieutenant for those leaving the rank on promotion or exit during 1988–89 are given in the table. Similar figures are given for promotions during 1988–89 from Lt(RN) and Lt(RM). The average times spent in the ranks of Lt(RN) and Lt(RM) for those leaving the Royal Navy or Royal Marines during 1988–89 are not readily available. Figures for the Army are not readily available.

Average time (in years) spent in the ranks of Lt(RN)/Lt(RM)/Fl Lt(RAF)
Total On promotion On exit
Lieutenant (RN) n/a 8.4 n/a
Lieutenant (RM) n/a 7.3 n/a
Flight Lieutenant (RAF) 9.4 8.5 10.7

Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the average period of time for which a service man remains in the rank of corporal or equivalent for the latest year for which records exist and for each of the armed forces.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The average times spent in the rank of RAF corporal for those leaving the rank on promotion or exit during 1988–89 are given in the table. Similar figures are given for promotions during 1988 from leading hand (RN) and Royal Marines corporal. The average times spent in the ranks of leading hand and RM corporal for those leaving the RN and RM during 1988 are not readily available. Figures for the Army are not readily available.

Average time (in years) spent in the equivalent rank of corporal
Total On promotion On exit
Leading hand (1988) n/a 4.1 n/a
RM corporal (1988) n/a 5.8 n/a
RAF corporal (1988/89) 5.7 6.8 4.7