HC Deb 12 March 1968 vol 760 cc272-3W
Mr. Buchanan-Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the manpower strength and the number of posts of the Royal Observer Corps in England and Wales, in Scotland and in Northern Ireland in each of the past five years; and what was the expenditure in each year.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

The personnel establishment of the Royal Observer

Area etc. 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967
England and Wales
(a) R.O.C. Personnel Establishment 24,200 24,200 19,750 19,750 19,750
(b) Strength 13,560 13,750 13,970 14,050 14,190
(c) Observation Posts manned 1,064 1,137 1,162 1,179 1,179
Scotland
(a) R.O.C. Personnel Establishment 6,600 6,600 5,250 5,250 5,250
(b) Strength 2,470 2,550 2,600 2,570 2,690
(c) Observation Posts manned 296 315 317 319 319
Northern Ireland
(a) R.O.C. Personnel Establishment 900 900 920 920 920
(b) Strength 710 820 890 850 830
(c) Observation Posts manned 58 58 58 58 58

Expenditure on the R.O.C. from Defence Votes was as follows:

£ million
1963–64 1.025
1964–65 1.125
1965–66 1.050
1966–67 1.175
1967–68 1.200

The bulk of these costs was recovered from the Home Office, which also met in full the capital costs for accommodation and specialist equipment.