HC Deb 13 November 1968 vol 773 cc379-80
7. Mr. Onslow

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many men are at present recorded as absent without leave from the three Services; what proportion this represents of the total strength of each Service; and how this compares with the situation three years ago.

Mr. Reynolds

As I have already explained to the hon. Member, the records of absentees differ from one Service to another and have been developed over a long period of time on a basis best suited to meet the needs of each individual Service.

To provide available information which has a bearing on the hon. Member's Question involves tabling a number of figures and footnotes. With permission, therefore, I will publish them in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Onslow

Would the right hon. Gentleman agree that the incidence of absenteeism is probably the best guide to the state of morale in the Service, and that there is disturbing evidence that absenteeism is on the increase? Would he consider this seriously, so as to form an overall view?

Mr. Reynolds

I would not agree that absenteeism is the only guide. It is a guide, and is looked at seriously all the time.

Following is the information:

The cumulative totals of men recorded as absent without leave in each Service as at January, 1966 and September, 1968 are as follows:—

January, 1966 September, 1968 Increase/Decrease
R.N.* 419 453 +34
Army† 7,734 8,394 +660
R.A.F.‡ 4,974 5,021 +47
* Includes personnel absent for 7 days or more since 1951, and not recovered.
† Includes personnel absent for 21 days or more since 1945, and not recovered.
‡ Includes personnel absent for 21 days or more since 1929, and not recovered.

2. It would be meaningless to express these cumulative totals as a proportion of the active strength of a Service at any particular date. However, the relationship of the cumulative totals given above to active strengths could be made by setting these figures against the figures of active strengths given in Annex A to the Statements on the Defence Estimates 1966–67 (Cmnd. 2902) and 1968 (Cmnd. 3540).

3. The net increases in the cumulative totals of men recorded as absent without leave over the last three years represent 0.039 per cent. of the average strength of the Royal Navy during the period, 0.4 per cent. of that of the Army and 0.038 per cent. of that of the Royal Air Force.