§ 38. Mr. Onslowasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Service men have been court-martialled for absence without leave in each of the past four years.
§ Mr. ReynoldsSince the Answer involves a table of figures, I will, with permission, publish them in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. OnslowCould the Minister say whether there has been any increase in the numbers of courts-martial for this offence? What instructions have been issued to commands about the prosecution of alleged offenders?
§ Mr. ReynoldsThere has been a slight increase in one Service and a slight decrease in others. The hon. Member had better see the table of figures. The procedures to be followed are laid down in the Army, Navy and Air Force Discipline Acts.
§ Following is the information:
| THE NUMBERS OF SERVICEMEN COURT-MARTIALLED FOR ABSENCE WITHOUT LEAVE IN EACH OF THE LAST FOUR YEARS ARE AS FOLLOWS: | ||||||
| RN. | Army* | R.A.F. | Total | |||
| 1965 | … | … | 2 | 786 | 30 | 816 |
| 1966 | … | … | — | 795 | 30 | 825 |
| 1967 | … | … | 1 | 832 | 21 | 854 |
| 1968† | … | … | — | 745 | 15 | 760 |
| Notes: | ||||||
| * The figures for the Army represent convictions: those for the R.N. and R.A.F. the numbers tried. It is not possible readily to provide figures for the Army on a comparable basis. | ||||||
| † January to September, 1968. |