§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost per officer at the Dartmouth naval college; how many officers pass through Dartmouth naval college each year; and which Royal Navy training facilities are situated in Dartmouth. [30043]
§ Mr. SoamesThis is a matter for the Naval Recruiting and Training Agency under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.
380WLetter from J. P. Clarke to Dr. David Clark, dated 22 June 1995:
The Secretary of State for Defence has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question, about the training of young Royal Naval officers at the Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, in my capacity as Chief Executive of the Naval Recruiting and Training Agency.On entry to Dartmouth for Naval General Training, Young Naval Officers undertake 16 weeks shore-based training followed by a further 8 weeks of sea-based training, all of which is administered by the College. Following a further 8 months training in the Fleet, non-graduate entry Officers return to the College for an Academic course lasting some 24 weeks. The College is resourced for a training capacity of 460 (including Medical Dental, Special Duties and International Officers) which gives a cost per trainee day of £229.00 for the Naval General Training Course and £149.00 per day for the Academics Course.You will also wish to be aware that the Agency is developing initiatives with private industry and academic institutions to market the unallocated irreducible training capacity which is caused by fluctuating recruiting levels reflected in the figures quoted below. These initiatives will generate enduring income streams, thereby reducing the overall costs of the College.Over the last two years the officer training throughput has reduced in line with lower recruiting targets. From 1995 onwards higher recruiting targets will, however, increase trainee throughput to the level of the College's resourced capacity.The College's officer training throughput since 1991 is as follows:
- 1991: 554
- 1992: 465
- 1993: 369
- 1994: 220
- 1995: 240*
- 1996: 298*
The above figures include RN Officers of Seaman, Engineer, Supply and Secretariat, Instructor, Medical, Dental, Chaplaincy and Special Duties specialisations in addition to international officers from Foreign and Commonwealth Navies. The figures marked by an asterisk denote predicted throughput figures.Seamanship training is provided at BRNC's Sandquay facility and the College's proximity to Dartmoor is utilised for leadership training activities.I hope this is helpful.