To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many army recruits passed through phase (a) 1 and (b) 2 training without achieving entry level 3 in (i) literacy and (ii) numeracy in the most recent period for which figures are available. (284521)

The following table provides training phase 1 and 2 information for the period 31 October 2008 and 30 June 2009.

However, some phase 2 trainees conduct apprenticeships, remedial training at Army education centres, or utilise external training providers, and their achievement of entry level 3 standard may not yet be on their personnel file. The figures provided above may therefore be higher than the true position.

Additional measures to support the delivery of basic skills were introduced in 2008, the benefits of which we expect to see in 2009 and beyond.