§ Mr. Bestasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many men and women have been discharged dishonourably from each of the three Armed Services for homosexual conduct over the five years to the end of 1980; what proportion of these cases would not have involved a criminal offence if the homosexual conduct in question had taken place between civilians; for the same five years, of those discharged dishonourably, how many had served custodial sentences prior to discharge; and what proportion of these cases would not have involved a criminal offence if the homosexual conduct in quesion had taken place between civilians; for the same five years to 1980, how many men and women have been forced to leave each of the three Armed Services by way of administrative discharge because they were known to be homosexual, no charge having been preferred against them; and for the five years to 1980, how many homosexual men and women have attemptd to commit suicide when under investigation by his Department's Special Invesigation Branch for matters connected with their homosexuality.
§ Mr. GoodhartOver the five years to the end of 1980 there were 137 discharges from the Army and 54 discharges from the Royal Air Force—all involving male Servicemen—following conviction for homosexual misconduct. In about one quarter of these cases the individual was dismissed with disgrace. 95 soldiers and 25 airmen were given custodial sentences before discharge. I regret that comparable statistics for the Royal Navy are not readily available and, in the case of all three Services, it is not possible in the time available to identify the proportion of cases which would not have involved a criminal offence of the homosexual conduct in question had taken place between civilians.
The number of those discharged administratively from the Services on the grounds of homosexuality without any disciplinary proceedings being taken are as follows: 347W
Royal Navy Army Royal Air Force Male Female Male Female Male Female 1976 19 — 49 51 11 12 1977 16 — 20 37 3 8 1978 14 11 22 35 15 8 1979 13 1 21 34 14 5 1980 20 1 26 18 9 11 In the years 1976 to 1980 two Service men committed suicide while under investigation for homosexual misconduct and in addition one attempted suicide has been identified. In two of the three cases other factors may have played a part.