asked the Secretary of State for War what is the number of officers who deserted during the periods 1st January, 1935, to 31st December, 1938, and from 1st January, 1946, to 31st December, 1949.

An officer who absents himself from his unit and whose absence cannot be explained is referred to as absent without leave. There is no record of any such officers during the period 1st January, 1935, to 31st December, 1938. On 31st December, 1949, there were eight officers absent without leave who had absented themselves since 1st January, 1946.