HC Deb 10 September 2003 vol 410 cc404-6W
Mr. Keetch

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the rates of separated service were for the RAF, broken down by unit, for each of the last two years; and if he will make a statement. [128411]

Mr. Caplin

Information on Separated Service is not collated by individual unit and could be provided in that format only at disproportionate cost. However, the

Personnel on Separated Service spending
Incidences of Separated Service for operations and training1 Average Trained Strength Less than 28 days 28–89 days 90–139 days 140–279 days 280+ days Total personnel spending time on Separated Service Percentage of average trained strength who were on Separated Service Total days spent on Separated Service
FY 200 1–02 49,266 13,455 11,322 6,514 2,432 87 33,810 69 1,999,168
FY 2002–03 48,690 12,668 13,798 6,830 2,858 48 36,202 74 2,207,041
FY 2003–042 48,516 13,427 8,744 912 0 0 23,083 48 695,963
1 August 2002-
31 July 20033 48,606 12,638 12,812 7,026 2,951 61 35,488 73 2,204,507
1 An incidence of Separated Service is recorded when an individual is absent from their parent unit on duty for three nights or more and a permanent order has not been issued. The table shows Separated Service for operational and training commitments excluding resettlement and expedition training.
2 Information up to 31 July 2003 only.
3 Latest 12-month period available ending 31 July 2003. Information from April 2000 excludes weekends where personnel are able to return home while on detached duty.

The rates of Separated Service have shown an increase over the last two years due to the increased operational tempo as a result of the RAF providing following table shows the rates of Separated Service recorded by the RAF for the last two years.

support to the civil authorities during the fire-fighters strike, Exercise Saif Sareea and deployments to Afghanistan and the Gulf.