HC Deb 20 July 1977 vol 935 c608W
Mr. Knox

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many serving officers there are at present in the Royal Air Force of the rank of air commodore and above: and how this figure compares with the figure in February 1974.

Mr. Wellbeloved

The information is not readily available for the dates requested. The figures for 31st March 1977 and 31st March 1974 are:

Officers in the rank of air commodore and above
31st March 1977 … … 175
31st March 1974 … … 196

Mr. Knox

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

Mr. Wellbeloved

The total strength in each of the years 1968 to 1977 is as follows:

Thousands
1st April 1968 … … … 120.5
1st April 1969 … … … 114.3
1st April 1970 … … … 113.0
1st April 1971 … … … 112.1
1st April 1972 … … … 110.7
1st April 1973 … … … 105.9
1st April 1974 … … … 99.2
1st April 1975 … … … 95.0
1st April 1976 … … … 90.7
1st April 1977 … … … 86.9