asked the Minister of Defence how many deserters from the Army, R.N. and R.A.F. have, upon arrest, either before or after their trials, attempted to commit suicide or otherwise have inflicted personal injuries on themselves during the past six months to the nearest convenient date.

I regret that this information is not available.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that two incidents recently took place at Inglis Barracks, Mill Hill, where two young deserters who had been arrested attempted to commit suicide from dread of military discipline? In cases of this kind where young men prefer to take their lives rather than submit to the discipline of military service, of what value are they to the Services concerned?

I really cannot answer questions in general about individual cases of which I have had no notice. Perhaps my hon. Friend had better put down a question on those cases to the Secretary of State for War.