§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armed service personnel went absent without leave last year; and what punishments they received.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThere were 2,724 personnel in the Royal Navy and Army reported as absent without leave in 1992 (excluding absences of less than seven days for which no central records are kept). Information in respect of Air Force personnel could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Information on the punishments awarded to personnel of all three services convicted at courts martial or summary proceedings of a charge of unauthorised absence or desertion is gathered on an annual basis, but the details for 1992 are not expected to be available until late April. My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State forDefence will write to the hon. Member when the information is available.