§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the loss of local overseas allowance to (a) a captain, (b) a sergeant and (c) a private on being posted from BAOR to Northern Ireland while leaving their families in West Germany; and by how much they are better or worse off in net take-home pay taking account of the increased Northern Ireland allowance.
§ Dr. GilbertThe abatements of local overseas allowance remain unchanged at £2.43 a day for a captain, £1.95 for a sergeant and £1.40 for a private soldier.
129WAssuming income tax at the standard rate, the value of Northern Ireland pay is now 66p per day. Those eligible for separation allowance—the majority—will now receive 56p a day net. In addition, the value of free food, for which all those serving married accompanied are eligible, is £1.12 per day.
The conditions which apply to those serving unaccompanied for short tours in Northern Ireland are common, wherever their origin. The abatement of LOA, when the family is left in the LOA theatre, follows the standard practice which has been adopted by successive Governments for many years. To allow those sent to Northern Ireland from Germany to retain full LOA would put them at an advantage over those sent from Great Britain.