§ Mr. ÖpikTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of regular soldiers were recruited from (i) former territorial army personnel, (ii) the public, including school leavers and (iii) former Army cadets in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [51029]
§ Mr. Doug HendersonThe percentage origins of regular soldiers are as follows:
percentage 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 (i) Former TA personnel1 7.6 7.6 5.4 (ii) The public (including schools leavers) 70.7 71.9 76.8 (iii) Former Army or Combined Cadet Force service 22 20.5 17.8 1 These figures do not include Reservists mobilised for service in Bosnia, or ex-TA personnel on special S Type engagements The year 1997–98 represented the best year in numerical terms for recruiting soldiers to the Army since 1991. The increase was largely from among members of the public, reflected in the higher percentage received from this group last year, shown in the table. We are encouraged by this progress, which demonstrates that improving recruitment has been, and continues to be, one of our top priorities.