Written question asked by Liam Fox (Conservative) on Wednesday, 11 February 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 23 February 2009. It was answered by Lord Beamish (Labour) on Thursday, 23 April 2009 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Annual Survey of Leave

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library the latest Annual Survey of Leave.

Answer: The 2007-08 DASA Survey of Leave did not occur. Since 2007, insufficient data have been readily available to collate statistics on the amount of leave taken by armed forces personnel.The 2007-08 survey was planned as part of the MOD’s programme of evidence to inform the AFPRB’s 2009 report. This year, however, information on leave for the armed forces was constrained by JPA weaknesses, both in data entry and the ability to interrogate the system. As a result no DASA survey could be concluded. AFPRB noted this in their 2009 report.MOD is addressing this data gap for future years by issuing clear instructions to ensure that personnel, through single service chains of command, are fully aware of the importance of keeping leave records.The 2006-07 copy of the Survey of Leave remains available in the Library of the House.

Secondary information