HC Deb 09 April 1974 vol 872 cc131-3
3. Mr. Redmond

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what are the financial arrangements for Service personnel and their families to enable them to return to the United Kingdom on leave; how frequently they are given leave; and what provisions are made for any emergency recall that may become necessary.

The Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Royal Air Force (Mr. Brynmor John)

The detailed regulations are complex and voluminous. However, I will, with permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table which Summarises the main arrangements for leave travel to the United Kingdom at public expense in all three Services.

Mr. Redmond

When I read the OFFICIAL REPORT, will I find the answer to a question put to me recently? A constituent of mine said that it would be some time before her son serving in Gibraltar could come home on leave because he was required to deposit £80 against the contingency of an emergency recall. Is that true? If it is, what does the Minister intend to do about it?

Mr. John

I hope that in the answer he receives in the OFFICIAL REPORT the hon. Gentleman will find sufficient information for his purposes. If, however, he wishes to raise a specific point, it would be fair to his constituent and to me that he should table a specific Question or write to me separately. If he does that, I undertake to examine the question with sympathy.

Mr. Churchill

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Home Secretary recently said that he might look favourably upon a request from the Price sisters' mother to fly to this country at the expense of the taxpayers to visit her daughters? Would it not be monstrous if this were to happen while similar facilities were denied to British troops in Northern Ireland?

Mr. John

The question raised by the hon. Gentleman is not one for me and is on an entirely different matter. If he reads the OFFICIAL REPORT, as he is obviously impatient to do, he will see that there are arrangements for the return of Service men to the United Kingdom at public expense.

Following is the table:

LEAVE TRAVEL AT PUBLIC EXPENSE FOR SERVICE PERSONNEL
Navy Return Journeys to United Kingdom Army Return Journeys to United Kingdom Royal Air Force Return Journeys to United Kingdom
1. Single
A. Germany, Belgium and Holland. 1 per year. 1 per year and 1 at charter pre-payment rates annually. 1 per year and 1 at charter pre-payment rates annually.
B. Cyprus 1 per tour of at least 2 years 1 per tour of at least 2 years 1 per tour of at least 2 years
C. Gibraltar Special leave Scheme. 1 per tour of at least 2 years. 1 per tour of at least 2 years.
D. Elsewhere Various special leave schemes. Special leave scheme for Persian Gulf Nil
2. Married Unaccompanied (including widowed or divorced personnel having custody of their children)
A. Germany, Belgium and Holland Up to 3 journeys per annum. Up to 3 journeys per annum. Up to 3 journeys per annum.
B. Elsewhere 1 during tour of at least 2 years. As Navy As Navy
2 for tours between 2½ and 3 years.
3 for tours of 3½years or more.
3.Married Accompanied
A. Germany 1 during 3 year tour 1 during 3 year tour for whole family. Nil
B. SHAPE and APCENT 1 per 2 year tour 1 per 2 year tour Nil
C. Elsewhere A few special leave schemes. Special leave scheme for Persian Gulf A few special leave schemes.