§ 57. Mr. Parkerasked the Secretary of State for War how many soldiers stationed in Germany have deserted or not returned from leave on time in the last three years, respectively, ending 31st March, 1963.
§ Mr. ProfumoSoldiers who remain absent without leave for 21 days or more are classified for administrative convenience as deserters. There were 250 of these men in B.A.O.R. in 1961 and 332 in 1962. The great majority of them were not, however, charged with desertion but with absence without leave.
I regret that figures for those failing to return from leave in time are not available for 1961. In 1962 there were some 17,000 such cases. Most soldiers in Germany are entitled to leave in the United Kingdom two or three times a year. The great majority of those who did not return on time were late because of sickness, compassionate extensions of leave, missed connections or other reasons.
I regret that no figures are available for 1960.