§ 20. Mr. Gallacherasked the Secretary of State for Air whether men serving at Gibraltar are entitled to colonial allowance.
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Air (Commander Brabner)Colonial allowance is paid to officers, warrant officers, and flight sergeants serving ashore at Gibraltar. It is not paid to airmen below the rank of flight sergeant.
§ Mr. GallacherIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that there is very great concern about this among the men; and will he reconsider the position and make it apply to all?
§ Commander BrabnerNo, Sir, I do not think that is possible. The allowances are paid to compensate those ranks who, by serving abroad, are at most disadvantage in obtaining facilities not supplied at the public expense, things like laundry and so on, and I am bound to say that the allowances are of a very modest nature indeed.