44 and 49. Brigadier Clarkeasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence (1) how many deserters have taken advantage of the recently announced amnesty and asked for pardon;
(2) how many Service deserters have been or are about to be released as a result of the proposed amnesty.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence (Mr. Nigel Birch)Up to and including 25th March, nearly 1,900 applications have been received. Of these about 400 appear to be outside the scope of the announcement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 23rd February. Forty-one men who were in custody, either awaiting trial or undergoing sentences for desertion, have been released.
§ 45. Mr. Langford-Holtasked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the extension of the deserters amnesty to those who deserted prior to 3rd September, 1939, but served satisfactorily under an assumed name during the war; and whether he will make a further statement to clarify the position of deserters generally.
§ 48. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Prime Minister, what action is being taken against deserters applying for the Coronation amnesty who are outside the dates of the amnesty.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Winston Churchill)My right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary will be making a statement on this matter at the end of Questions.