asked the Minister of State for Defence if he has considered the letter addressed to him on 30th November, 1970 by the Secretary of the National Council for Civil Liberties, concerning two men who have been absent without leave from their service duties for six years; and what reply he has returned thereto.

I have written to the Secretary of the N.C.C.L.

While thanking the hon. Gentleman for sending that reply, which I understand was received yesterday, may I ask whether he will circulate a copy of it in HANSARD? I have not seen it, but I gather that it was reasonably satisfactory, so far as it went, and also informative.

I think all letters I send are reasonably satisfactory; at least, I hope that that is the case. It would be wrong for me to circulate in HANSARD what was a private letter without the agreement of the recipient. I accept that the very existence of the Question put down by the hon. Gentleman probably accelerated the reply which has been sent.