HC Deb 30 January 2001 vol 362 cc99-100W
Mr. Duncan Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armed forces personnel are qualified to make parachute drops. [147760]

Mr. Spellar

[holding answer 29 January 2001]: 4,515 armed forces personnel are currently qualified to make operational military parachute descents. This figure comprises:

Number
Royal Marines/Royal Navy 195
Army1 3,177
Royal Air Force 156
Territorial Army 987
1 Including Special Forces

Mr. Duncan Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armed forces personnel have been given parachute training in each of the past five years; and what has been the cost of this training. [147759]

Mr. Spellar

[holding answer 29 January 2001]: The number of armed forces personnel given parachute training and the cost, in each of the past five years, is set out in the table:

Year Number Cost (£)
1996 683 1,832,900
1997 796 2,160,600
1998 817 2,221,500
1999 818 2,224,400
2000 822 2,236,000