§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Defence if any form of counselling or contact with welfare officers is automatically provided after personnel are absent without leave.
§ Mr. FreemanCounselling is not provided as a matter of course. However, if during the investigation of his case or in discussion with the soldier concerned the commanding officer felt that counselling would be of any value, this would be arranged.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the punishments that are given when Army personnel return or are found after being absent without leave, showing how many people received each punishment, in the last year for which figures are available.
§ Mr. FreemanPunishments vary widely according to the circumstances and seriousness of each case. Trivial absence of a few hours or half a day would probably mean only a fine or lesser punishment, but a more serious case could entail detention or dismissal. In cases where the commanding officer judges that the soldier is not blameworthy, or where there proves to be a good reason for absence, there would not necessarily be any punishment.
339WOn the further detail requested, I will write to the right hon. Member.