§ Mr. McWilliamTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence why he proposes(a) to increase the maximum number of Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service personnel which may be maintained during financial year 1991–92, as shown in House of Commons Paper 225, and (b) to increase the maximum number of such personnel which may be maintained during the financial year 1992–93, as shown in House of Commons paper 227.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe Ministry of Defence votes A represent the maximum numbers of personnel authorised by Parliament to be maintained in the individual armed services. During 1991 it was discovered that nearly 200 QARNNS medical assistants had been included in the RN figures in error. Added to this, intake to the QARNNS increased unexpectedly and exceeded the forecast figure which had been based on the previous poor intake. A supplementary vote for 1991–92 was therefore presented, increasing the QARNNS figure and reducing the RN figure. The 1992–93 votes included a further increase for the QARNNS in anticipation of the improvement in recruitment being maintained.