§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the average cost to the public funds per annum for each member of the British Army. [1646]
§ Mr. SoamesThis information can be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, it is possible to quantify the Regular Army's current annual pay bill on an average basis. Including all members of the home service full-time element of the Royal Irish Regiment and the non-regular permanent staff of the Territorial Army, the figure for pay, earnings-related national insurance contributions, allowances and superannuation equates to £23,300 per person. This figure takes no account of variation attributable to rank or other factors and costs.