HL Deb 16 May 1974 vol 351 cc1103-4

3.14 p.m.

LORD ARCHIBALD

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether it is true that British Servicemen attached to the United Nations Forces in Cyprus do not receive any additional pay from the United Nations while other national contingents do so, and, if this is correct, whether an explanation can be given.

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS)

My Lords, no national contingent receives extra pay and allowances directly from the United Nations for service in Cyprus. Governments providing troops for the United Nations Force in Cyprus meet the costs of pay and allowances of their contingents on the basis of their own military regulations or applicable domestic law.

LORD ARCHIBALD

My Lords, I thank the Minister for his Answer. May I ask whether he can do something to make it clear to the British troops in Cyprus that they are not in an inferior position, and are not being treated differently from other countries' contingents? I ask that question because quite responsible sergeants in the British Forces there believe that they are the only Forces which do not get a supplementary allowance.

LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, my understanding is that the position is well understood by our men in Cyprus, but I shall certainly make further inquiries about this question. It is not an easy matter to equate the pay and allowances of one country to those of another country. I shall most certainly look further into the feeling among our troops in Cyprus.

LORD SEGAL

My Lords, can my noble friend say whether the contingents of other nations are recruited on a voluntary basis, whereas our own British contingent consists of Regular troops?

LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, in most cases that is so, and that has a bearing on what other countries feel they must pay their own troops.