HC Deb 23 April 2001 vol 367 c88W
23. Helen Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the level of operational commitment of the armed forces is. [156950]

Mr. Spellar

As at 1 March 2001, some 22 per cent. of the trained Army were committed to operations. This compares favourably to the figure of 26 per cent. that we inherited on 1 May 1997.

For the other Services, 10 per cent. of the Naval Service were committed to operations as at 1 January this year; this figure, which is the latest available, reflects the position over the Christmas and New Year break. For the RAF 10 per cent. of the trained strength was committed to operations as at 1 March this year. Unfortunately, for the Naval Service and RAF comparable figures for 1 May 1997 are not available.