§ 22. Miss Burtonasked the Secretary of State for War what allowances, in addition to local overseas allowances, are available to His Majesty's forces overseas; and what conditions in each case, have to be fulfilled before any such allowances are granted.
§ Mr. StracheyThe principal allowances overseas in addition to local overseas allowance, when it is payable, are marriage allowance, lodging allowance, national service grants, disturbance allowance, clothing allowance, ration allowance, travelling allowance and motor mileage allowance. These allowances are issued, generally speaking, under the same conditions as apply at home although in certain cases the rates may vary according to the station.
In addition, officers and other ranks accompanied by their children overseas receive special family allowance equal to that payable under the Family Allowances Act, 1945. This allowance is supplemented by various cost of living conditions in certain circumstances abroad. Other ranks in certain stations may also receive ice allowance when it is impracticable to issue ice in kind.
§ Miss BurtonAlthough I feel it rather difficult to ask a supplementary in view of that answer, may I ask my right hon. Friend whether, as obviously the men in Korea will be eligible for things like 1167 marriage allowances in the same way as men serving anywhere else, there is any possibility that he would be able to consider the rigorous conditions of the men in Korea and whether some allowance might be made to them as they are not eligible for a local overseas allowance?
§ Mr. StracheyThat is the same question which we have discussed with my hon. Friend on several occasions.
§ Colonel Gomme-DuncanWhat is the purpose of an ice allowance for ice which is not available?
§ Mr. StracheyIt is merely in lieu of ice.
§ Sir Hugh Lucas-ToothAre all these allowances subject to British Income Tax, even when they are payable to troops serving in Korea?
§ Mr. StracheyI think not. I should like to have that question on the Order Paper in detail, but I think that the great majority of these allowances, at any rate, are not subject to it.
§ Miss BurtonAs my right hon. Friend says, there has been considerable discussion, but it has been rather one-sided so far as the answers are concerned. Would he feel able to give an answer as to whether he would consider the suggestion that the men in Korea should be made eligible for some form of allowance in view of the conditions under which they are now serving?
§ Mr. StracheyI can only repeat that we could not make out any case for a local overseas allowance. That being excluded, the only possibility is an Active Service allowance or danger money of some kind, and I think that there are very great objections in principle to an allowance of that kind.