§ Mr. John Browneasked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the average annual number of applicants for premature voluntary release from the armed forces for each of the following periods: June 1970 to February 1974, March 1974 to April 1979 and May 1979 to the latest available date.
§ Mr. WigginThe information is not available in the form requested. The average annual number of applications from April 1972 for premature voluntary release by all male officers and RN and RAF service men are as follows. Figures for Army service men were not collected prior to 1978. However, the number of premature voluntary release exits are shown separately.
Average annual numbers Applications for premature voluntary release by officers and RN and RAF service men Premature voluntary release exits by Army service men April 1972—March 1974 8,612 4,887 April 1974—April 1979 9,423 4,959 May 1979—December 1982 4,622 2,276