HC Deb 08 November 1999 vol 337 cc404-5W
Mr. Duncan Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of soldiers serving for three years extended their service beyond three years by(a) three, (b) six, and (c) nine years in each of the last five years. [97518]

Mr. Spellar

Soldiers enlisting into the Regular Army since 1991 have done so on the Open Engagement (up to 22 years), which commits them to a minimum of three years service (four years for those enlisting after 2 November 1999). Continuation of service beyond that point is subject to the wishes of the individual and the needs of the Army. There is no requirement for soldiers to specify the length of any further commitment, but they are normally required to give 12 months notice of their wish to leave.

The information is not, therefore, available in the form requested. The table, however, identify the average soldier trained strength in each of the last five financial years, by length of reckonable service, and as a percentage of the total trained soldier strength.

Length of reckonable service (years)1 Average trained strength2 Percentage of total strength
(a) 1998–99
Less than 3 years 17,932 21
3-5 years 13,570 16
6-8 years 13,216 16
9-11 years 13,510 16
12+ years 25,949 31
Total 84,177 100
(b) 1997–98
Less than 3 years 16,107 19
3-5 years 14,821 17
6-8 years 15,745 19
9-11 years 13,332 16
12+ years 24,882 29
Total 84,887 100
(c) 1996–97
Less than 3 years 14,604 17
3-5 years 17,094 20
6-8 years 17,588 20
9-11 years 12,935 15
12+ years 23,676 28
Total 85,897 100
(d) 1995–96
Less than 3 years 15,406 17
3-5 years 20,310 23
6-8 years 18,106 20
9-11 years 12,637 14
12+ years 22,656 26
Total 89,115 100
(e) 1994–95
Less than 3 years 18,330 19
3-5 years 23,662 24
6-8 years 18,171 19
9-11 years 12,669 13
12+ years 23,977 25
Total 96,809 100
1 UK Trained Army Personnel (soldiers) only.
2 The Strengths are calculated by adding together the start and end strengths of each financial year, and dividing by two.

Mr. Duncan Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what effect the extension of the minimum commitment for soldiers from three to four years will have on pay differentials for those signing on for an extended three, six or nine years. [97519]

Mr. Spellar

The extension of the minimum commitment for soldiers from three to four years will have no effect on pay differentials. Soldiers have been enlisted on open engagements since 1 January 1991 and pay differentials for initial engagements of three, six or nine years have not applied since that date.