HC Deb 18 June 2002 vol 387 c203W
Mr. Dodds

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many applications to join the Army from Northern Ireland were rejected on national security grounds in each year since 1998. [62642]

Mr. Ingram

Applications to join the Army in Northern Ireland that were rejected for all reasons for the period requested as follows:

Financial year Applications rejected
1997–98 227
1998–99 162
1999–2000 189
2000–01 165
2001–02 99
2002–031 16
1 To date.

In common with other Government Departments, it is the Ministry of Defence's policy to maintain the freedom to accept, or reject, any person for employment without disclosing the reason why.

Mr. Dodds

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many applications to join the Army were made in each year since 1998. [62641]

Mr. Ingram

The information requested is as follows:

Financial Year Number of applications
1998–99 37,915
1999–2000 37,844
2000–01 33,679
2001–02 38,855
2002–031 7,951
1 To 31 May.