To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many convicted murderers are presently serving in Her Majesty's armed forces. [33623]

There are five soldiers serving in the armed forces who have been convicted of murder. In four cases, discharge procedures have been initiated. In two of these, action is in abeyance pending the outcome of appeals. In the fifth case, the solider concerned is a Gurkha. The Army is obliged to discharge Gurkha soldiers in Nepal and that will be on completion of his custodial sentence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence under what circumstances a solider who has served a sentence for murder can continue to serve in the armed forces; and if he will make a statement. [33624]

It is normal practice to discharge service personnel who have been convicted of murder unless there are exceptional circumstances. It would be for the appropriate service board of the Defence Council to decide whether the circumstances of an individual case merited retention.