HC Deb 06 March 1989 vol 148 cc407-8W
Mr. O'Neill

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Navy mechanics served in each of the following branches:(a) air engineering, (b) marine engineering and (c) weapon and electrical engineering, in each year since 1983.

Mr. Neubert

The numbers of Royal Navy mechanics serving in air engineering, marine engineering and weapon and electrical engineering each year since 1983 are given in the table. All figures are at the 1 January point.

Year Air engineering Marine engineering Weapon and Electrical engineering
1983 1,915 6,561 8,803
1984 2,079 6,275 8,937
1985 1,979 6,046 8,929
1986 1,721 5,512 8,579
1987 1,639 5,248 8,262
1988 1,654 5,103 7,954
1989 1,665 5,079 7,799

Note: Weapon and electrical engineers include air and marine engineers with electrical qualifications.

Mr. O'Neill

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total outflow of Royal Navy mechanics in each of the following branches in 1988 and how many of these left prior to the completion of their engagements:(a) air engineering, (b) marine engineering and (c) weapons and electrical engineering.

Mr. Neubert

The total outflows of Royal Navy mechanics from the air engineering, marine engineering and weapon and electrical engineering branches during 1988 were as follows:

Air engineering Marine engineering Weapon and Electrical engineering
203 548 790

Of these, the numbers who left to completing their engagements were:

Air engineering Marine engineering Weapon and Electrical engineering
158 433 576

Engagements for naval ratings are generally open ended, up to a maximum of 22 years and ratings may leave at any time after an initial period at 18 months notice.

Note:

1. Weapon and electrical engineers include air and marine engineers with electrical qualifications.

2. Promotions to officer have been excluded.

Mr. O'Neill

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many mechanics qualified to serve in the following branches of the Royal Navy in 1988(a) air engineering, (b) marine engineering and (c) weapons and electrical engineering.

Mr. Neubert

The numbers of Royal Navy mechanics who qualified to serve in the air engineering, marine engineering and weapon and electrical engineering branches in 1988 were as follows:

Number
Air engineering 91
Marine engineering 345
Weapon and electrical engineering 659

Notes:

1. Weapon and electrical engineers include air and marine engineers with electrical qualifications.

2. These figures may be incomplete due to reporting delays.