§ 14. Mr. Wiggasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence the cost of maintaining a National Service man and a regular Royal Navy rating, airman and soldier at home and overseas, separate figures being given for each category.
§ Following is the statement:
| APPROXIMATE AVERAGE ANNUAL COSTS OF MAINTENANCE OF REGULARS AND NATIONAL SERVICE MEN AT HOME AND OVERSEAS | ||
| — | Regulars | National Service Men |
| £ | £ | |
| Army: | ||
| Home | 365 | 300 |
| Overseas | 465 | 385 |
| R.A.F.: | ||
| Home | 385 | 355 |
| Overseas | 485 | 445 |
§ (i) Owing to the different circumstances of the Navy and in particular the fact that so large a proportion live and move in H.M. Ships, it is impossible to produce figures which could usefully be compared with those quoted for the Army and R.A.F.
§ (ii) The figures given are average rates for the Services as a whole and cover pay, allowances, rations, clothing, personal equipment, accommodation, medical services and travel. They exclude the cost of unit equipment (aircraft, vehicles, etc.) and training and administrative expenses.
§ (iii) The differences in costs between Services are explained by such factors as—
- (a) At home—the variations of trade and rank structure; the varying amounts of travelling due to different geographical distribution;
- (b) Overseas—wide differences of distribution leading to variations in overseas allowances, clothing scales and travel.