§ Mr. HawkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many fast jet pilots he estimates will leave on voluntary retirement before normal retirement age before EFA 2000 is in service; and if he will make a statement. [50839]
§ Dr. Reid[holding answer 16 July 1998]: The Eurofighter is scheduled to enter service in mid 2002.
In the four financial years until then we estimate that the number of fast-jet pilots who will have left the RAF before the normal retirement age (55) will have been as follows:
Point of exit during service career Forecast number1 8 years service2 15 12 years service2 25 Age 38/16 years service2 100 Age 44/22 years service2 5 Premature Voluntary Release 90 Total 235 1Forecast rounded to nearest 5 2Points at which an individual has the right to leave in accordance with his/her terms of service