§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give the figures for the proportion of service personnel leaving by premature voluntary release for the different categories of personnel for each year since 1989–90, and also the most recent figures available for 1992–93; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe proportions of officers and non-commissioned personnel (male and female) in each of the three services leaving by premature voluntary release in each of the years since 1989–90 are as follows:
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Per cent. 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–931 Royal Navy/Royal Marines Officers 3.0 3.2 2.7 2.2 Ratings 6.1 6.8 5.5 4.7 Army Officers 4.7 4.3 3.6 2.6
1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–931 Soldiers 9.9 9.0 7.4 7.1 Royal Air Force Officers 3.0 2.5 2.2 2.2 Airmen/Airwomen 5.4 4.7 3.8 3.2 1 As at 1 September 1992. The numbers of personnel leaving by premature voluntary release have declined steadily in recent years and are now at their lowest level since 1986–87.