§ 8. Major Sir CLIVE MORRISON-BELLasked the Secretary of State for War the number of desertions from the Army in each of the six last periods of six months each; and whether any special cause is assigned for such desertion?
§ Mr. WALSHThe numbers of men lost to the Army through desertion in each of the six periods of six months beginning on 1st April, 1921, and ending on 31st March, 1924, were, respectively, 767, 736, 789, 782, 529 and 650, representing an average annual loss of one man in 158. No special cause can be assigned, and the average has not varied greatly during the last three years.