HC Deb 05 November 1997 vol 300 cc253-4W
Dr. Tony Wright

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the membership of the Officer Training Corps in each institution in which it operates. [13757]

Dr. Reid

The number of Officer Cadets, for which each Officer Training Corps (OTC) is established, is shown in the table. The actual number of Officer Cadets fluctuates through the year according to the academic calendar. The OTCs recruit above their established strength at the start of the academic year, to take account of the normal wastage rate, so that actual membership numbers level down to the established figure later in the year.

Number
Aberdeen 168
Belfast 168
Birmingham 168
Bristol 168
Cambridge 224
East Midlands 168
Edinburgh 168
Exeter 168
Glasgow 168
Leeds 168
Liverpool 168
London 364
Manchester 168
Northumbria 168
Oxford 224
Sheffield 168
Southampton 168
Tayforth 168
Wales 168

Dr. Tony Wright

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of the Officer Training Corps in the most recent year for which figures are available. [13758]

Dr. Reid

The total indentifiable cost of the Officer Training Corps (OTC) for Financial Year 1996–97 was £16.7 million, which includes staff and running costs as well as property management of the OTC estate.

Dr. Tony Wright

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of members of the Officer Training Corps subsequently join the regular forces. [13756]

Dr. Reid

In the academic year 1995–96, the most recent year for which complete figures are available, a total of 260 members of the Officer Training Corps were commissioned into the regular forces. Broken down by Service, one commission was into the Royal Navy, seven into the Royal Marines, 250 into the Army and two into the Royal Air Force. The overall figure of 260 represents approximately 7.5 per cent. of the total Officer Training Corps establishment.

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