asked the Minister for Defence the number of Permanent Defence Forces by rank in the Army for each of the past five years; and the total cost for each of the same five years.

The total strength by rank of the Permanent Defence Forces on 31 December for each of the past five years was as set out in the following schedule.

The total cost in respect of the pay and allowances of such personnel for those years was as follows: 1981, £114,090,544; 1982, £129,429,914; 1983, £138,849,752; 1984, £147,885,814; 1985, £160,070,700.

SCHEDULE

Strength of the Permanent Defence Forces on 31 December each year from 1981 to 1985 inclusive.

Includes equivalent Naval Ranks.