HC Deb 04 April 1950 vol 473 cc982-3
10. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for War the average number of men declared deserters per month, for the year 1938 for the Brigade of Guards, infantry, artillery and other arms, respectively; and if he will give the corresponding figures for 1948, showing soldiers serving Regular engagements and National Service men separately.

Mr. Strachey

As the answer involves a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Hughes

Could the Secretary of State tell us whether these figures reveal that there is a higher rate of desertion from the Guards than from any other regiment; and will he conduct an inquiry into the causes?

AVERAGE NUMBER OF MEN DECLARED DESERTERS PER MONTH
— 1938 1948 Total
Regulars (including short-service) National Service Men
Footguards (Brigade of Guards) … 7 9.5 2.5 12
Infantry … … … … 108 58.5 57.5 116
Royal Artillery … … … 19.25 21.75 21.5 43.25
Other Arms … … … … 33.75 46.25 93.5 139.75
TOTAL … … … 168.0 136.0 175.0 311.0

The over-all annual percentage of deserters fell from 1.126 per cent. in 1938 to 0.9 per cent. in 1948. The annual percentage of National Service deserters in 1948 was 0.771 per cent. as against 1.114 per cent. for Regular soldiers.