HC Deb 08 February 1988 vol 127 c85W
Mr. Sean Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many chaplains are currently attached to the Army; and how many are of each rank.

Mr. Freeman

(holding answer 4 February 1988): There are currently 160 chaplains in the Regular Army. The numbers in each rank are:

  • 1 Major General (Chaplain General)
  • 1 Brigadier (Deputy Chaplain General)
  • 9 Colonels (1 Principal Roman Catholic Chaplain, 8 Chaplains Class I)
  • 35 Lieutenant Colonels (Chaplains Class II)
  • 64 Majors (Chaplains Class III)
  • 50 Captains (Chaplains Class IV)

In addition, there are 108 chaplains commissioned into the Territorial Army and 140 Army Cadet Force chaplains. All TA and ACF chaplains join as chaplains class IV (Captains) and can attain the acting rank of chaplain class III (Acting Major) after six years service.