§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the number of redundancies in the armed forces in each year since 1992 and in 1995 to date; what has been the cost of redundancy payments and other related benefits and enhancements in each year; and which arms and sections of the defence forces were the source of such redundancies. [5479]
§ Mr. SoamesIn the financial year 1992–93, there were 3,957 redundancies with payment of redundancy and other related benefits and enhancements of £232 million. There were 9,041 redundancies in 1993–94 and 11,095 in 1994–95 with total payments of £509 million and £453 million respectively. From April to November 1995, there have been 352 redundancies with payment totalling £24 million.
These payments include special capital payments, and early payment of terminal grants, commuted pension payments and the first year's payment of immediate pensions.
The Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force have all been subject to redundancy during this period. Redundancies were selected from all ranks, covering a wide range of categories and groups of personnel.