HC Deb 20 January 1987 vol 108 cc542-4W
Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many pilots left the Royal Air Force in 1986 or have expressed a desire to leave the service.

Mr. Freeman

The number of pilots who left the RAF in 1986 was 175. The number of pilots who expressed a desire in 1986 to leave the service was 213. The latter figure includes those applying for premature voluntary retirement, those signifying their intention to leave at optional exit points and optional retirement dates, and those who have been offered assimilation to age 55 but have declined.

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many pilots left the Royal Air Force during 1986 without completing their engagements.

Mr. Freeman

The numbers of pilots who left the RAF during 1986 without completing their engagements are as follows:

Number
(a) Through premature voluntary retirement 63
(b) At a recognised optional exit point 39
(c) Other exits (medical, death, disciplinary etc) 12
Total 114

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many pilots have expressed a desire to leave the Royal Air Force without completing their engagement.

Mr. Freeman

The numbers of pilots who in 1986 expressed a desire to leave the RAF without completing their engagements are as follows:

Number
a) Through premature voluntary retirement 119
b) At a recognised optional exit point 65
Total 184

Mr. O'Neill

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Navy flying observers have expressed a desire to leave the service without having completed their engagement.

Mr. Freeman

During 1986 a total of seven observers applied to leave the service, six through voluntary retirement without having completed their engagement and one by applying to take the optional eight-year break point for departure which is currently a condition of service for aircrew officers serving on a 12-year short career commission.

Mr. O'Neill

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Navy helicopter pilots have expressed a desire to leave the service without having completed their engagement.

Mr. Freeman

During 1986 a total of 23 helicopter pilots applied to leave the service, 13 through voluntary retirement without having completed their engagement and 10 by applying to take their optional eight-year Break Point.

Mr. O'Neill

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Sea Harrier pilots left the Royal Navy during 1986, or have expressed a desire to leave the service.

Mr. Freeman

During 1986 one Sea Harrier pilot left the Royal Navy as a result of an early voluntary retirement application and one left at the end of his Commission. There were no new voluntary retirement applications from Sea Harrier pilots during the year.

Mr. O'Neill

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many helicopter pilots have left the Royal Navy during 1986, or have expressed a desire to leave the service.

Mr. Freeman

During 1986 24 helicopter pilots left the Royal Navy. Of these, 12 left as a result of early voluntary retirement, five at their optional eight-year break point, five at the termination of their commissions; one was invalided out and one has died. In the same year a total of 23 helicopter pilots applied to leave the service. Of these, 13 applied for early voluntary retirement and 10 to leave at their optional eight-year break point.

Mr. O'Neill

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many flying observers left the Royal Navy during 1986, or have expressed a desire to leave the service.

Mr. Freeman

During 1986 a total of 10 observers left the Royal Navy. of these, two left as a result of early voluntary retirement, two applied to leave at their optional eight-year break point and six left at the termination of their commissions. In the same year a total of seven Observers applied to leave the service, six through early voluntary retirements and one at his optional eight-year break point.