HC Deb 19 February 1969 vol 778 cc457-8
27. Mr. Onslow

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is now in a position to give the total number of Army personnel who were court-martialed for absence without leave during 1968; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Boyden

958.

Mr. Onslow

Since that represents an increase of over 15 per cent. on the 1965 figure, does not the hon. Gentleman recognise that there must have been a very significant decline in Army morale?

Mr. Boyden

It is a serious increase, but it does not indicate a decline in morale. One of the reasons for it is that soldiers nowadays take far more interest in their own domestic matters. This is one reason why they sometimes go absent.

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us the level of severity of punishment given in these cases?

Mr. Boyden

That is hardly relevant.