§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many Royal Air Force maintenance and support personnel there were in each of the last 10 years; [24796]
(2) what was the total Royal Air Force manpower in each of the last 10 years; and what is the estimated Royal Air Force manpower strength in 1997–98. [24797]
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§ Mr. SoamesThe total manpower strength of the Royal Air Force and the RAF's maintenance and support element, as at 1 April in each of the years in question is as follows:
Date Total RAF strength (trained and untrained) Total RAF maintenance and support personnel (trained and untrained) 1986 93,237 84,861 1987 93,627 85,172 1988 93,291 84,890 1989 91,443 83,385 1990 89,685 81,786 1991 88,371 80,505 1992 85,962 78,183 1993 80,909 73,392 1994 75,681 68,642 1995 70,754 64,056 For the purposes of this question "maintenance and support" personnel has been defined as all personnel other than those employed on general duties (air) and airmen aircrew duties. It is not our practice to provide estimates of manpower strength more than a year in advance, and the forecast total strength for 1 April 1996 is around 66,500.