To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures are in place to monitor delays in Phase 2 training in the army; how many individuals were subject to delays in (a) 2005 and (b) 2007; what record is kept of individual training plans; and how statistical information is collected on training. (230830)

The Army Recruiting and Training Division (ARTD) Headquarters do not record the total number of individuals who are subject to delays per calendar year. A monthly report is created by each Arms and Service school illustrating those recruits who have been delayed in commencing aspects of Phase 2 training. Courses start and finish all the time and so this figure should only be considered a 'snapshot' of the delays in the training pipeline at a particular point in time.

The following table gives the average number of recruits who have amassed more than a 14 day cumulative delay prior to reaching Phase 2 training. Data is collected within the first five days of each month. These snapshots of data over the months of the financial years shown have been averaged to show the general standard of delays to Phase 2 in the years requested.

Prior to the end of Phase 1, recruits receive a plan which outlines what Phase 2 consists of and they also visit their Phase 2 establishment. During their Phase 2 induction week, they are given an individual training plan which details their proposed training schedule. Delays can be caused by a number of factors, not all of which are within the Army's control. However, ARTD takes positive steps to minimise delays. Where delays are unavoidable training programmes are run so as to maintain interest, fitness and military skills. A recruit would normally have leave between courses and delays are therefore not calculated until after 14 days.