§ Mr. Maxwell-Hyslopasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list the detailed contents of the basket of items priced by the Armed Forces Pay Review Body in assessing whether a local allowance should be payable to service men stationed in the Falkland Islands; and how the costs are assessed in comparison with Belize;
(2) whether the cost of telephone calls to the United Kingdom from the Falkland Islands is included in the basket of costs assessed by the Armed Forces Pay Review Body in deciding whether to recommend payment of a local allowance.
§ Mr. StanleyThe assessment of a local overseas cost of living allowance does not fall within the terms of reference of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body but is a matter for the Ministry of Defence in consultation with Her Majesty's Treasury.
The following individual elements are used in calculating local overseas allowances:
- Food at home
- Food in mess
- Clothing
- Cigarettes
- Confectionery
- Household cleaning materials
- Toiletries
- Laundry
- Dry cleaning
- Hairdressing
- Car
- Public transport Stationery
- Postage
- Telephones
- Toys
- Newspapers and Magazines
- Television
- Records and Tapes
- Home Entertainment Meals out
- Dances
- Drinks at home
- Drinks out
- Drinks in mess
- Cinema and Spectator Sport
- Babysitting
- Sport
- Holidays
- Mess subscriptions
- Mess functions
The same system is used in all countries outside the United Kingdom where members of the Armed Forces are stationed.