HC Deb 21 May 1974 vol 874 cc175-7
14. Mr. Hurd

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he has yet received the report of the Armed Services Pay Review Body; and if he will make a statement.

21. Rear-Admiral Morgan-Giles

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to further increases in pay and allowances for Service men.

Mr. Mason

I refer the hon. Members to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Ilford, South (Mr. Shaw) by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on Thursday 16th May.—[Vol 873, c. 518-20.]

Mr. Hurd

It would be churlish not to thank the Secretary of State for what he has achieved in this respect on behalf of the Armed Forces, but will he look at one point which was not included in the Prime Minister's answer? It concerns the level of gratuities paid at the end of terms of service. If they were increased, might not the result be a saving to public funds since more Service men would be able to find deposits for homes of their own instead of being obliged to add their names to local authority housing lists?

Mr. Mason

I am obliged to the hon. Gentleman for that suggestion and I will look at it. The White Paper has not yet been published and will not be published until 29th May. There may be further indications in it along the lines that the hon. Gentleman has mentioned. If there are not, I shall look at his suggestion.

Rear-Admiral Morgan-Giles

Although the morale of the Armed Forces is superlative, and although pay is not uppermost in their minds, does the right hon. Gentleman think that 50p a day is the rate for the job for Service personnel serving in Ulster?

Mr. Mason

The hon. and gallant Gentleman should realise that apart from the£3-50 a week they benefited from the increase in the X factor. The Pay Code frustrating the Armed Forces Pay Review Body was imposed upon it by his own administration. The review body could recommend only an increase from 5 per cent, to 8| per cent, in the X factor. But it sought consent to increase it to 10 per cent. It means that our forces in Northern Ireland have an increase of 100 per cent, in the X factor and also£3.50 a week.

Dr. M. S. Miller

Would it be possible for my right hon. Friend to give consideration, in respect of Armed Forces Pay Review Body payments, to the possibility of some kind of ex-gratia payment to Service men who meet with accidents when they are not actually on duty?

Mr. Mason

To be honest I have not done that, although I have some cases before me. Indeed, I think I have one from my hon. Friend.

Major-General D'Avigdor-Goldsmid

May I ask the Secretary of State two questions? The first concerns the pay increase. Although it is understood that the pay increase will be backdated to 1st April, when will the increase be received in kind by soldiers, sailors and airmen? Secondly, will any consideration be given to the Territorial Army? Should not members of the Territorial Army be considered eligible for the X factor when they are serving in camp?

Mr. Mason

I do not think the House will accept that members of the TAVR should be eligible for the X factor especially when they go to camp. They are obliged to train one or two nights a week, and occasionally they go to a weekend camp. But I cannot see any reason why they should be included in the X factor. As for the hon. and gallant Gentleman's second question about the date on which the increase will be paid, most Service personnel will receive some of their pay in June.