asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total number of Royal Air Force pilots short of establishment.

The Royal Air Force at present has sufficient pilots to fill cockpits; at 1 January 1987 it was 19 short of the overall requirement for trained pilots.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many pilots applying for premature early retirement from the Royal Air Force have been removed from flying duties in each of the past three years.

Since October 1986, it has been the policy to review the future employment of pilots in flying appointments who have applied for premature voluntary release in order that the RAF does not invest further valuable experience and expensive training on those who have indicated a wish to leave. However, each case is considered on its merits in the light of the service interest. As a result of this policy, since 1 October 1986, 11 pilots have been posted to and are now serving in ground appointments.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many pilots and navigators in the Royal Air Force qualified for, and capable of, flying duties of the rank of (a) pilot officer, (b) flight lieutenant, (c) squadron leader and (d) group captain are at present engaged in non-flying duties.

The number of pilots and nagivators, by rank, qualified and capable of flying duties who, on 1 January 1987, were posted to non-flying duties was:

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many pilots indicated a wish to apply for premature early retirement and then withdrew their applications on being informed that if they continued with their application they would be removed from flying duties in each of the past three years.

Officers are not required to explain their reasons for withdrawing PVR applications. However, since October 1986 when the policy to consider posting from flying appointments officers who apply to PVR was introduced, five pilots have withdrawn their applications.