§ 22. Sir G. Nabarroasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement concerning increases in Service pay and pensions.
§ 28. Mr. Scott-Hopkinsasked the Secretary of State for Defence what are his recommendations for new rates of Service pay from April, 1970; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HealeyAs far as Service pay is concerned I would refer the hon. Members to my statement of 25th February. In regard to Service pensions, I hope to make a statement shortly.—[Vol. 796, c. 1200–7.]
§ Sir G. NabarroYes, but is the effect of all the changes in Service pay and pensions calculated by the Minister as being likely to redress the shortages to which I referred earlier? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is grave anxiety about not only the shortfall in our Services but also the fact that the Services are much too small anyway?
§ Mr. HealeyI believe that the new military salary will help to redress the shortfall which exists. The hon. Gentleman may have noted that an Army paymaster said on television that these were the largest increases which he had known the Services to receive in his 30 years of service. I imagine that that covers also the period of service of the hon. Member.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a great deal of confusion among the armed Services about what this will mean for each individual? Will he see that this is explained to them in much greater detail, because there is growing feeling among many who have contacted me that they will not be more than marginally better off this year by the time of the final calculations?
§ Mr. HealeyI recognise this problem. This is a very complex new system and very different from the old one, and until men actually receive their pay in the first week of April, some may be doubtful of its advantage. But I repeat that the overall increase to the Services this year is 18 per cent. and single men will get a further increase on this year's pay of about 14 per cent. next year.
§ Mr. DalyellThe hon. Member for Worcestershire, South (Sir G. Nabarro) is for ever lecturing the House on public expenditure. Would my hon. Friend point out that this pay increase, which many of us supported, is an honourable settlement? So, in addition to this public expenditure, what does the hon. Member want the Government to pay out? Would my hon. Friend find that out from the hon. Member?
§ Sir G. NabarroOn a point of order. Will you, Mr. Speaker, cause that personal imputation to be withdrawn at once? Have not all my Questions and all my supplementaries been perfectly in order?
§ Mr. SpeakerThey have. There was no personal imputation—
§ Mr. McNamaraFurther to that point of order—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I am still dealing with the point of order.
The imputations were political and do not have to be withdrawn.
§ Mr. PeytonOn a point of order—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. Points of order in Question Time cost questions.
§ Mr. PeytonIs it right in Question Time for Government supporters to question the motives of hon. Members on this side, rather than address themselves to Ministers, who have manifestly failed to discharge their responsibilities?
§ Mr. SpeakerOn the part of that which was a point of order—the first part—it is in order for hon. Gentlemen to ask Ministers questions. That is the purpose of Question Time.