Defence chiefs have been slammed for not knowing how many Scottish soldiers are on the run from the army. For the past two years the MoD has issued figures detailing the manpower of The Royal Regiment of Scotland.
In July 2008 it revealed that 615 Scots troops, or more than an entire battalion, were absent without leave or unfit to fight. A year earlier the total figure for absence across The Royal Regiment of Scotland, the Scots Guards and the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards was reported as 500.
But ministers are refusing to reveal the latest statistics, claiming a new administration system has no facility to break down absence figures by regiment.
Family problems, lack of support fro troops returning from the front line and growing disaffection with the conflict in Afghanistan were blamed for the previous surge.
Veterans groups and opposition politicians accused the government of refusing to reveal the true extent of absenteeism.
Steve Gresty of the Fife Veterans Association said, "The pressure on squaddies now is phenomenal and I've no doubt these figures are rising. Many front-line soldiers are disaffected with what's happening in Afghanistan and they're not getting the support they need after their first tour. It's a huge decision to go AWOL and few people take it lightly."
Across the British Army there has been an average of 156 AWOL incidents each month this year.
Angus Robertson, SNP defence spokesman, said he's be raising the issue in the Commons when parliament returns next month. He added, "The more fact they're saying this information can no longer be provided is significant and frankly suspicious. This data should be at the fingertips of the defence minister. It was previously available and there's no good reason why it should not be accessible now."
Surely the MoD can't be telling fibs can they? A new system, which I presume is computerised, isn't programmed to break down absences into regiments? With all the intellectuals employed at the MoD, you would think someone could have thought up a better reason wouldn't you? Here's one for them - 'we're not issuing recent numbers because they've increased so much they're embarrassing'.
Is it any wonder more soldiers are going AWOL when they're repeatedly being sent to the hell of Afghanistan, their pals are being killed regularly and nobody seems to have a plan of any kind. Some of these soldiers may be in urgent need of medical care and it's the responsibility of the MoD to take urgent steps to discover their whereabouts.
Source: Sunday Post
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15 comments:
i Put this on amw blog the cheat has only gone and voted for it
over at the tory diary
The Conservatives should hold an immediate referendum on whether Scotland’s voters want independence from the rest of the UK or not. We should choose the timing of the referendum rather than the SNP and Alex Salmond
Agree Disagree Don't know
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=VSi1GcRLaztXSPxBhGAMew%3d%3d
Morning Niko. I've just done their wee question thingie but they want my email and I'm not prepared to be giving that.
I don't think they tories could do that, the paperwork is all underway at Holyrood.
Much as you'd like to think so mind you. :) You sitting more comfortably these days?
Yeah I wondered about that any referendum would have to be left to the devolved Government unless they are considering a U.K wide one.
didn't give my email either just end up with loads of silly Tory emails
and they probably sell them on to advertisers
Subrosa.
" Family problems, lack of support fro troops returning from the front line and growing disaffection with the conflict in Afghanistan were blamed for the previous surge."
.....
Thats just the start of it. I read somwhere baylifts were coming round to Soldiers houses and hounding them over un paid taxes just before they were due to go on tour.
The mind set of some of they lads being cought up on domestic problems at home is terrible. I dont blame them from going AWOL.
I think more troops go AWOL than the army can cope with. They are sending young lads into a quagmire with no end.
I hope the troops who are AWOL are part of a military ploy to take over The UK. Couldn't be any worse than the mess we are in! Just imagine, a whole battalion on secret manoeuvres somewhere near you!
Are Whitewash Hall swivel serpents, senior brass hats and obnoxious You Gov politicos serious?
When they say they dinna ken.
They're taking the pi$$, surely.
So which is it to be then, Gross incompetence or themselves lying through their teeth in order not to be held accountible for absolutely anything. A denial of facts and figures on soldiers for the use of
...and disposal of.
Don't these sort of folk have paperwork in triplicate. Surely they can't just lose the bluidy stuff.
I smell a rat here, a putrid and deceased one.
They don't want to tell us, basically. We might then become informed and start asking a question or two of our lairds and masters. Such as the legitamacy of their parent's marraige certificate.
Aye, Whitewash Hall doing the usual.
Don't they put out an all points bullitin to plod these days on folk gone AWOL.
Surely that in its-self would leave a paperwork trail behind it.
Now why don't ah believe their crappy explanations.
Because they're serial disinformationists and have it down to a fine art.
Ah mean to say, one mustn't encourage us to enquire into the reasons for this AWOLism.
These bluidy squaddies and Ruperts are receiving too much public concern and sympathy,eh.
Everytime the public pick up a newspaper, there's a collective sigh of Awwww, poor wee souls.
...and it's not our fault, it wisnae me, it wisnae us
...and they're expendable, we aren't and we won't be accountable to be so.
Knunts, the lot of them.
One of the scariest features of the New Labour government has been not just the unwillingness to admit to mistakes, but to tolerate levels of casualties in many fields that would be intolerable normally. The treatment of the troops is a particularly nasty and irresponsible part of a general pattern. They deserve a lot better than this, and the numbers going AWOL indicate the seriousness of the matter. They are way above past experience.
Spook, is it any wonder that bailiffs are knocking at soldier's doors when a new recruit earns just over £16,000. Out of that he's to give around 33% back to the government for accommodation and food plus of course buy kit if necessary. So after tax, he's possibly got little - fine for a single person but not too fine for someone with responsibilities.
I agree with you, the numbers are high and the MoD aren't going to admit it.
Yoohoo OR, what a great idea. They'd possibly be around here too as this area is a destination for all sorts of exercises although I never see any signs of them.
Last time I'd anything to do with Whitehall I think records were in quadruplet wisnaeme. I remember having to press so hard on the pen to get through all the copies.
Of course they don't want to tell us. They're happy to leave AWOLs alone because some of them may require medical treatment and if they don't come forward then they're costing the NHS nothing.
I don't know how the police handle AWOLs these days. Shouldn't think they're top priority.
It's the reasons for the AWOLs right enough - they don't want to know.
The conditions they're living in are hellish too Demetrius and there are no enough of them to ensure everyone gets reasonable R & R. Living for months on end in the middle of such country would get to the best of us. Plus not even the food holds any interest - it's all in tinfoil packages.
It's hard to find earlier figures Demetrius although I'm sure they're online somewhere. but tucked away so as the general enquirer like myself, can't access them.
SR,
This could be true, with the new JPA computerised HR system the MOD and FLCs use - which is as good as the NHS one - wink wink - they may well have difficulty splitting the info down into bite sized chunks - I'm amazed I get paid each month!
Once upon a time you knew the facts and where you stood. All you need is to submit a FOI request and you'll have your info, perhaps!
That said, a Government of idiots is running the country - no time for amateurs my arse - no time for Labour running this country and sending young men and women to certain death - without the PM considering why, what, who, where or how - just VANITY.
Bye bye Gorgon and your lot, consigned to the annals of nothingness.
Saor Alba
Crazy D
Should that not have read anus?
Crazy D.
Just asking.
Will the tories be any better though CD?
I'll leave CD to reply to that wisnaeme. He'll possibly say yes though. :)
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