§ 27. Mr. Scott-Hopkinsasked the Secretary of State for Defence what reduction in living charges will be made on those Servicemen taking part in the exercise in Malaysia this spring and summer 1970.
§ Mr. HattersleyNo Serviceman living in field conditions for two nights or more is charged for accommodation or food. Servicemen who are liable for single accommodation charges have these charges reduced when field conditions do not apply but they occupy sub-standard accommodation. These arrangements are as recommended by the National Board for Prices and Income in its Third Report on Forces' pay.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsDoes that mean that the troops going out to take part in the exercise, although they will be living in worse accommodation while acclimatising themselves to the conditions, will have the same fixed charges made on them as when they were in the United Kingdom?
§ Mr. HattersleyThat depends on the conditions under which they are living at the time and whether it is appropriate for a reduced standard of payment. That is a decision which should essentially be taken by the field commanders or by people to whom they may depute that decision. I think that we can rely on the matter being tackled with some degree of understanding.