Written question asked by Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 8 December 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 10 December 2008. It was answered by Bob Ainsworth (Labour) on Monday, 15 December 2008 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Armed Forces: Labour Turnover

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the number of (a) people in the armed forces, (b) new recruits to the armed forces and (c) people who have left the armed forces in each of the last five years.

Answer: Information on the number of people in the armed forces, the number of new recruits to the armed forces and the number of people who have left the armed forces in each of the last five years can be found in Tri-Service Publication (TSP) 1—UK Regular Forces Strengths and Changes.TSP 1 is published on monthly basis and the latest information as at 1 October 2008 can be found at:"http://www.dasa.mod.uk/applications/newWeb/www/index. php?page=48&pubType=1&thiscontent=30&PublishTime= 09:30:00&date=20081127&disText=01%20Oct%202008 &from=listing&topDate=2008-11-27"All copies of TSP 1 are available in the Library of the House and also at:"www.dasa.mod.uk."

Secondary information