§ Mr. Robert C. Brownasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many commissions have been granted in each of the last 10 years to the latest available date to applicants from (a) public schools, (b) State schools, (c) direct grant schools in the Army, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force, respectively.
§ Mr. PattieInformation on the educational background of officers is not recorded centrally and cannot be provided in the form requested without disproportionate cost and effort. However, some relevant information is available as follows:
Royal Navy
Educational background of males selected for commissions excluding direct graduate entrants and commissions awarded to ratings:
Financial Year State Schools Independent Schools 1970–71 175 112 1971–72 149 130 1972–73 185 136 1973–74 156 129 1974–75 185 94 1975–76 189 124 1976–77 212 109 1977–78 221 104 1978–79 254 130 1979–80 235 127 Royal Air Force
Educational background of males selected for commissions excluding commissions awarded to airmen:
Year State Schools Independent Schools 1974 180 75 1975 147 51 1976 294 87 1977 226 88 1978 424 123 1979 388 145 Figures are not available for the Army.