HC Deb 19 February 1969 vol 778 cc463-4
34. Rear-Admiral Morgan Giles

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make an interim increase in forces' pay in advance of the completion of the review by the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

Mr. Reynolds

No, Sir. I cannot anticipate the Board's recommendation.

Rear-Admiral Morgan Giles

Last year, the Secretary of State said that it was essential that the Services should know that they would have fair increases at fair intervals. Why do the Government now leave Servicemen uncertain and with their pay falling further and further behind? Are they playing fair with the Services?

Mr. Reynolds

I cannot see that there is any uncertainty. The matter was referred to the Prices and Incomes Board on 30th May, last year, and the Government asked the Board to try to prepare its report within one year. That one year is not yet up.

Mr. Ramsden

May I now put to the right hon. Gentleman my earlier question? Is it not a fact that delaying an increase in Forces' pay at a time when comparable outside rates are rising is deliberately to depress the level of recruiting? Is not this scandalous at a time when the Army is so short of recruits?

Mr. Reynolds

There is no deliberate delay. As I have explained on 30th May last year, the Government asked the Prices and Incomes Board to let us have a report on this matter within one year. That year is nowhere near up. From my own knowledge I am confident that the Board is working as fast as it can and that it will do a thorough job.

42. Mr. Goodhew

asked the Secretary of State for Defence on what date new rates of pay were introduced and back-payments made to implement the increases in Forces' pay recommended for payment with effect from 1st April, 1968, by the National Board for Prices and Incomes in its First Report (No. 70).

Mr. Reynolds

Increases of pay and back payments were paid to officers by 31st July, 1968; they were paid or credited to a large proportion of other ranks by 30th June and to the remainder in July, 1968.

Mr. Goodhew

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the transfer of responsibility for Forces' pay to the National Board for Prices and Incomes has resulted in the Forces falling further and further behind their civilian counterparts? Does the Minister now acknowledge that it was a great error to transfer it from the Grigg Committee in the first place?

Mr. Reynolds

I assumed that that would be the supplementary question, although it has little relevance to the question of back-payment. If the hon. Gentleman has any knowledge of any people who did not get back payment quickly, perhaps he will write to me about it, or wait for the report from the National Board for Prices and Incomes.