§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of officers and non-commissioned officers in each of the Services, respectively, have decided, on reaching a natural breakpoint in their Service careers, not to engage for a further period of service in the year 1977–78; and what are the comparable figures for each year since 1970–71.
§ Mr. MulleyThe number of Royal Navy/Royal Marine and RAF officers who left the Services at option points in their careers is as follows—the percentage which these figures represent of the total reaching such option points is shown in brackets:
Royal Navy/Royal Marines Royal Air Force 1970–71 53 140 (43 per cent.) (26 per cent.) 1971–72 45 113 (36 per cent.) (23 per cent.) 1972–73 39 85 (29 per cent.) (21 per cent.) 1973–74 46 83 (35 per cent.) (24 per cent.) 1974–75 37 73 (38 per cent.) (22 per cent.) 1975–76 46 96 (33 per cent.) (25 per cent.) 1976–77 39 54 (36 per cent.) (18 per cent.) 1977–78 44 86 (34 per cent.) (27 per cent.) There are no comparable option points at which Army officers can elect to leave the active list during their Service careers.
130WFigures for non-commissioned officers are not available as their engagements do not include comparable option points.
§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many officers and non-commissioned officers in each of the Services, respectively, have resigned or signified their intention to resign in the year 1977–78, together with the comparable figures for each year since 1970–71.
§ Mr. MulleyThe number of male officers who have applied to leave the Services prematurely during the period is as follows:
Royal Navy/Royal Marines Army Royal Air Force 1970–71 234 499 * 1971–72 130 394 248 1972–73 144 543 348 1973–74 221 597 514 1974–75 204 606 447 1975–76 182 539 472 1976–77 270 509 497 1977–78 307 908 778 * Central records for this year are incomplete. Comparable figures for applications from non-commissioned officers are not available.