§ 41. Mr. GowTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent the Army, the Royal Air Force, the Royal Navy, and the Royal Marines are below their established strengths; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NeubertShortfalls in service manpower are measured by comparing adult trained strengths against trained manpower requirements. As at 31 March 1989, shortfalls were Royal Navy 1,380, Royal Marines 43, Army 3,006, Royal Air Force 2,797. In order to encourage greater efficiency in the use of manpower, policy decisions have been taken to aim manpower plans at levels a little below the full requirement. Not all of these shortfalls are, therefore, unplanned.