§ Mr. Duncan SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many RAF air traffic controllers have(a) been recruited and (b) left the service in each of the past five years; how many air traffic controllers there are in the RAF; how many RAF air traffic controllers have joined National Air Traffic Services in the past year; and what plans he has for retention schemes for RAF air traffic controllers. [153172]
§ Mr. SpellarThe following table shows the intake and outflow of air traffic controllers (ATC) in the RAF over the past five years:
Intake Outflow 1996 11 108 1997 43 55 1998 53 48 1999 64 41 2000 49 53 The current trained strength of ATC as at 1 February 2001 is 822.
The RAF does not maintain records to show how many ATC have joined National Air Traffic Services. There are currently no plans for retention schemes specifically related to RAF ATC.