Defence written question – answered at on 22 July 2008.
Nick Harvey
Shadow Secretary of State for Defence
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people who joined the armed forces at age 16 and 17 years in each of the last five years sought to leave the armed forces (a) while under 18 years old and (b) when 18 years old or more; and how many people who joined the armed forces as adults subsequently sought to leave the UK armed forces in each of the last five years.
Bob Ainsworth
The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence
Information on the number of people who joined the armed forces at age 16 and 17 years or as adults in each of the last five years is not centrally held and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Due to ongoing validation of data from the Joint Personnel Administration system, voluntary outflow application data are currently unavailable. Historical information on voluntary outflow applications and exits is published in Tri-Service Publication 5, 'UK Regular Forces outflow from trained strength to civil life' (TSP 5). Copies of the most recent and historical publications can be found at
Information on the intake and outflow of the UK regular forces by age published in Tri-Service Publication 19, 'UK Regular Forces Intake and Outflow by age' (TSP 19). Copies of the most recent and historical publications can be found at
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