§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel have(a) enrolled on and (b) completed an Open University course in the past 12 months. [112624]
§ Dr. MoonieThe best estimates available are that, for financial year 2002–03, 161 RN, 110 Army and 1,477 RAF personnel registered to undertake Open University courses. Accurate figures for enrolment are not available as personnel who elect for personal reasons to undertake an OU course are under no obligation to tell the OU that they are Servicemen or women, or to report to their Service managers that they have commenced a course of learning with the OU.
In addition, 21 RN, 18 Army and 76 RAF personnel were registered for OU degree courses during the last 12 months under existing sponsorship schemes.
Figures for course completion are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.