§ Mr. Trippierasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many officers applying for premature voluntary release in the last five years were subject to a "time bar"; in how many cases the "time bar" has been waived; and what are their ranks, years of commission and months remaining before the "time bar" expires.
§ Mr. PattieAll applicants for premature voluntary release may have to continue to serve for a period of time before their application is granted if they cannot easily be replaced. In the Army 212 applicants in the last five years have been subjected to this "time bar" which is between two and five years depending on the training the individual has received. Of these, 121 have had the length of their "time bar" reduced by an average of 16-3 months. In the Royal Navy there is a standard waiting period of nine to 15 months before applications can be granted. In the Royal Air Force there is a minimum waiting period of six months and some officers in particular shortage categories might be required to serve up to three years after first applying. In all Services compassionate or other reasons for immediate release can be put forward.
It is not possible to provide a breakdown into ranks or years of commission, without disproportionate effort.
§ Mr. Trippierasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many officers have been granted premature voluntary release in the last five years; and what are their ranks and years of commission.
§ Mr. PattieThe following numbers of officers have been granted premature voluntary release—figures by financial years:
Numbers 1975–76 1,256 1976–77 1,179 1977–78 1,368 1978–79 1,448 1979–80 1,219 Total 6,473 The breakdown of these figures by rank is only available for the last two financial years—the information is as follows:
Number Rear Admiral/Major General/Air Vice Marshal (and above) 22 Commodore/Brigadier/Air Commodore 46 Captain, RN/Colonel/Group Captain 144 Commander/Lieutenant Colonel/Wing Commander 436 Lieutenant Commander/Major/Squadron Leader 938 Lieutenant, RN/Captain/Squadron Leader 954 Sub Lieutenant, RN/Lieutenant/Flight Lieutenant 123 Others 4 Information on the years of commissions could not be obtained without disproportionate effort.