HC Deb 13 July 1977 vol 935 cc134-5W
Mr. Knox

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the numerical strength of the Royal Navy in each of the past 10 years.

Mr. Duffy

The latest available information on the numerical strength of the Royal Navy in each of the past 10 years at 1st April of each year is:

numbers of Royal Marine officers of equivalent rank—for example, major generals and above—were seven and six respectively.

Mr. Knox

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many serving officers there are in the Royal Navy at present; and how this figure compares with the number in February 1974.

Mr. Duffy

This information is not available for the exact dates requested.

The latest figures available show that the following numbers of officers were serving in the Royal Navy on 31st March 1977 and 31st March 1974:

31st March1977 31st March 1974
Royal Navy 9,182 9,532
Royal Marines 619 623
Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service 174 206
Womens Royal Naval Service 279 290