RAF Pilots (Hansard, 28 June 1999)

§ Mr. Key
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many RAF pilots are serving in(a) the Balkan theatre,(b) Turkey, (c) Kuwait, (d) Saudi Arabia, (e) Cyprus, (f) the Falkland Islands, (g) Northern Ireland and (h) elsewhere outside the United Kingdom. [88369]

§ Mr. Doug Henderson
The following table shows the number of trained RAF pilots serving in various theatres of operations as at 1 June 1999.

Theatre of operations Number of RAF pilots

Balkans¹ 108

Turkey 22

Kuwait 16

Saudi Arabia 35

Cyprus 10

Falkland Islands 23

Northern Ireland 67

Other overseas 195

¹ Balkans theatre includes personnel serving in: Italy, Corsica, Bosnia, Croatia and Macedonia

§ Mr. Key
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost of training a pilot in the RAF from entry into service to active flying service for(a) fast jets, (b) transport and other aircraft and (c) helicopters. [88371]

§ Mr. Doug Henderson
I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

§ Mr. Key
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with representatives of commercial airlines since May 1997 on the recruitment of former service men as pilots; and if he will make a statement. [88372]

§ Mr. George Robertson
I wrote to representatives of seven major UK commercial airlines on 5 April of this year to develop a dialogue on the recruitment of former Royal Air Force personnel as pilots. No Ministerial discussions have taken place.

§ Mr. Key
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total number of(a) fast jet pilots, (b) transport and support aircraft pilots and (c) helicopter pilots on active service in each of the past 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [88370]
9W

§ Mr. Doug Henderson
The information requested is set out by Service in the table:

Fast jet Multi engined Rotary wing

Date RN¹ RAF RAF RN Army ³ RAF

1 April 1999 52 874 837 512 369 518

1 April 1998 49 943 866 536 370 507

1 April 1997 57 991 898 564 344 506

1 April 1996 66 1,062 1,002 594 323 524

1 April 1995 67 1,090 1,050 624 311 530

1 April 1994 67 1,124 1,119 612 286 532

1 April 1993 ²— 1,371 1,046 ²— 282 539

1 April 1992 ²— 1,397 1,081 ²— 258 552

1 April 1991 ²— 1,394 1,122 ²— 218 542

1 April 1990 ²— 1,389 1,200 ²— 215 544

¹ Figure excludes Royal Marines for which no historical data held. However, as at 1 June 1999 there were an additional 32 Royal Marine officer and 20 Royal Marine other ranks helicopter pilots on the trained strength.

² RN figures by specialisation, prior to 1 April 1994, could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

³ The figures for Army Helicopter pilots exclude reservists mobilised for operations in Bosnia as well as: member of Royal Irish Regiment (Home Service), Gurkha's Locally Employed Personnel and individuals engaged on Full Time Reserve Service.

Theatre of operations	Number of RAF pilots
Balkans¹	108
Turkey	22
Kuwait	16
Saudi Arabia	35
Cyprus	10
Falkland Islands	23
Northern Ireland	67
Other overseas	195
¹ Balkans theatre includes personnel serving in: Italy, Corsica, Bosnia, Croatia and Macedonia

	Fast jet	Multi engined	Rotary wing
Date	RN¹	RAF	RAF	RN	Army ³	RAF
1 April 1999	52	874	837	512	369	518
1 April 1998	49	943	866	536	370	507
1 April 1997	57	991	898	564	344	506
1 April 1996	66	1,062	1,002	594	323	524
1 April 1995	67	1,090	1,050	624	311	530
1 April 1994	67	1,124	1,119	612	286	532
1 April 1993	²—	1,371	1,046	²—	282	539
1 April 1992	²—	1,397	1,081	²—	258	552
1 April 1991	²—	1,394	1,122	²—	218	542
1 April 1990	²—	1,389	1,200	²—	215	544
¹ Figure excludes Royal Marines for which no historical data held. However, as at 1 June 1999 there were an additional 32 Royal Marine officer and 20 Royal Marine other ranks helicopter pilots on the trained strength.
² RN figures by specialisation, prior to 1 April 1994, could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
³ The figures for Army Helicopter pilots exclude reservists mobilised for operations in Bosnia as well as: member of Royal Irish Regiment (Home Service), Gurkha's Locally Employed Personnel and individuals engaged on Full Time Reserve Service.