§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the extent of undermanning in the armed forces this year; and if he will make a statement. [113249]
§ Dr. MoonieAs at 1 April 2003 the shortfall against the current trained requirement of the armed forces stood at 6,510. This is an improvement on the same time last year with an increase in the overall trained strength and a decrease in the deficit.
All three Services are working hard to address the shortfalls so that the targets set out in the current Public Service Agreements can be met.
912WDetails of undermanning by individual Service as at 1 April 2003 are shown as follows:
Naval Service Army RAF Trained requirement 38,510 106,980 49,640 Trained strength 37,600 102,120 48,900 Shortfall -910 -4,850 -750