HC Deb 15 November 1996 vol 285 cc372-3W
Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many female service personnel were in the armed forces on 1 October 1991 and 1 October 1996. [4451]

Mr. Soames

This is a matter for the chief executive of the Defence Analytical Services Agency, DASA, under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Paul Altobell to Dr. David Clark, dated 15 November 1996: I have been asked to reply to your question to the Secretary of State for the Armed Forces about the number of female service personnel in the armed forces as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Analytical Services Agency. The number of female service personnel in the armed forces on 1 October 1991 is 19,262. The number of female service personnel in the armed forces on 1 October 1996 is 15,259. This figure does not include 494 females serving in the Royal Irish Regiment—in 1991 such personnel were members of the Ulster Defence Force for which no details are available. This information is published monthly by Defence Analytical Services Agency in Tri-Service Personnel Statistics (TSP)1 and is available in the House of Commons library.

Dr. Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many female officers are currently in the armed forces. [4427]

Mr. Soames

This is a matter for the Defence Analytical Services Agency—DASA—under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Paul Altobell to Dr. David Clark, dated 15 November 1996: I have been asked to reply to your question to the Secretary of State for the Armed Forces about the number of female officers in the armed forces as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Analytical Services Agency. The most recent return of armed forces personnel strength is at situation date 1 October 1996. The number of female officers in the armed forces at 1 October 1996 is 2,398. This figure does not include 17 female officers serving in the Royal Irish Regiment. This information is published monthly by Defence Analytical Services Agency in Tri-Service Personnel Statistics (TSP)1 and is available in the House of Commons library.