HC Deb 14 January 2002 vol 378 cc58-9W
Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of personnel have exceeded 140 nights away from home, in the most recent 12-month period for which figures are available, in(a) 33 Squadron, (b) 10 Squadron, (c) 101 Squadron, (d) 24 Squadron, (e) 30 Squadron, 09 47 Squadron, (g) 70 Squadron, (h) 7 Squadron, (i) 18 Squadron and (j) 27 Squadron. [26678]

Mr. Ingram

[holding answer 11 January 2002]: The RAF Separated Service Recording System records periods of absence of three days or more. The table shows the percentage of RAF personnel on each squadron who have exceeded 140 days away from home on separated service in the 12-month period ending 30 September 2001.

Percentage of trained strength spending more than 140 days away from home
Squadron Operational/routine tasks All reasons1
33 4.4 14.9
10 1.6 7.6
101 1.8 11.3
24 0 0
30 0.9 0.9
47 3.8 3.8
70 1.8 1.8
7 1.6 5.9
18 2.5 6.8
27 1.4 5.1
1 Includes absences due to normal career development training, resettlement and expedition training, sport and permanent detachments from parent unit.

RAF commitments are regularly reviewed and adjusted as soon as circumstances allow. Operational deployments continue only for as long as is necessary to meet agreed objectives.