HC Deb 23 March 2001 vol 365 c366W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many enlisted personnel left each of the three services in the last 10 years, citing pay as the reason for leaving; and if he will make a statement; [153981]

(2) how many service personnel at officer rank left each of the services in the last 10 years, citing pay as the reason for leaving; and if he will make a statement. [153983]

Mr. Spellar

Information is not available as to the specific reasons why each individual leaves the armed forces prematurely. Each service does, however, run leaver surveys. In the past three years these surveys have indicated that, more often than not, it is the cumulative effect of several factors rather than a single item that has the most impact on retention. From these surveys it is possible to say that dissatisfaction with pay is not one of the most influential factors in an Officer's or Other Rank's/Rating's decision to leave.