HC Deb 13 November 2000 vol 356 cc458-9W
Mr. Duncan Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Fleet Air Arm Harrier pilots are combat ready. [138224]

Mr. Spellar

As of 9 November 2000, there were 18 combat ready Fleet Air Arm Harrier pilots in front-line squadrons. A further 15 pilots were at their planned lower states of readiness.

UK Regular Forces
Region Naval Service Army Royal Air Force Gurkhas Total
Continental Europe 826 24,798 3,595 0 29,219
of which Germany 3 17,135 2,031 0 19,169
Gibraltar 365 87 115 0 567
Cyprus 7 2,543 1,137 0 3,687
Gulf 49 220 703 0 972
Far East 681 213 24 1,197 2,115
Canada 3 3,401 143 0 3,547
United States of America 76 291 136 0 503
Elsewhere1 2,958 1,779 780 1 5,518
All overseas 4,965 33,332 6,633 1,198 46,128
1 All defence attachés and their staffs are included under "Elsewhere" and not identified within specific areas

These figures exclude Full Time Reserve Service personnel and reservists mobilised for service in the former Yugoslavia.

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