§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many service personnel submitted applications for discharge after six months had elapsed since enlistment and were turned down for any reason other than failure to follow the correct application procedure during 1983–84 and 1984–85;
(2) how many requests for discharge turned down due to failure to follow the correct procedure or submit correct documentation, were made prior and subsequent to the first six months of enlistment during 1983–84 and 1984–85;
(3) how many service personnel requested information regarding discharge during 1983–84 and 1984–85;
(4) how many personnel were detained at Colchester for offences which are not punishable under civilian law during 1983–84 and 1984–85;
(5) how many service personnel cases whose alleged offences were triable under civilian law were dealt with by any form of military hearing during 1983–84 and 1984–85;
(6) how many service personnel were charged with an offence during 1983–84 and 1984–85;
(7) how many service personnel were detained for periods exceeding 24 hours during investigations conducted by the Special Investigations Branch during 1983–84 and 1984–85.
§ Mr. Lee[pursuant to his reply, 10 February 1986, c. 388]: This information is not held centrally.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what record is kept of applications for discharge which are incorrectly submitted;
(2) what record is kept of requests for information both formal and informal, regarding discharge procedure and regulations.
§ Mr. Lee[pursuant to his reply, 10 February 1986, c. 388]: No records are held centrally on these matters.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many investigations were conducted by the special investigations branch into cases of alleged homosexuality during 1983–84 and 1984–85.
§ Mr. Lee[pursuant to his reply, 10 February 1986, c. 388]: The information requested on calendar year basis, is as follows:
74W
Royal Navy Army Royal Air Force 1983 25 52 44 1984 38 56 34 1985 35 50 36
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel requested discharge (a) on reaching the age of 18 years having enlisted below the age of 18 years and (b) before their contract was due to expire, but after six months from enlistment during 1983–84 and 1984–85.
§ Mr. Lee[pursuant to his reply, 10 February 1986, c. 388]: Details of the numbers requesting discharge of reaching the age of 18 having enlisted below the age of 18 are not held centrally. The number of service men requesting discharge before expiry of their contract but after six months service from enlistment are as follows:
Number 1983–84 6,668 1984–85 8,079
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel applied for and were granted a discharge within six months of enlistment during the years 1983–84 and 1984–85.
§ Mr. Lee[pursuant to his reply, 10 February 1986., c. 388]: The number of service men who were discharged having exercised their right to claim discharge within six months of enlistment were as follows:
Number 1983–84 3,655 1984–85 4,009
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel requested that their contract of engagement be shortened during 1983–84 and 1984–85.
§ Mr. Lee[pursuant to his reply, 10 February 1986, c. 388]: Young entrants (those aged less than 17 years and 6 months at enlistment) may shorten the terms of their regular engagement on or within 28 days of their 18th birthday. The numbers who exercised this option were:
Number 1983–84 2,111 1984–85 2,114
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many service women were interviewed or interrogated my male investigating officers during the course of homosexual investigations during 1983–84 and 1984–85.
§ Mr. Lee[pursuant to his reply, 10 February 1986, c. 388]: This information is not held centrally. All such interviews would, however, have been conducted in the presence of a female member of staff.