Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of serving commissioned officers in (a) the Royal Navy, (b) the Army, (c) the Royal Air Force went to state schools; and what steps his Department is taking to increase that proportion to enhance social mobility; and if he will make a statement.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not hold information on the type of schools attended by Officers of the British Armed Forces and so I am unable to make the assessment.

However, can I assure him that the MOD is working closely with the Armed Forces in line with the Government's priority to build a fairer society, by attracting talent from the widest possible base across the UK, regardless of socio-economic background, educational status or ethnicity. The opportunities, education, and training provided to both officers and enlisted personnel in both the Regular and Reserve Forces enable recruits to progress as far as their aptitude will take them, regardless of their background.