§ Lord Brougham and Vauxasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have any plans to replace the Married Quarters Discounted Sale Scheme, currently available to Regular Members of Her Majesty's Armed Forces.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Earl Howe)The purpose of the Married Quarters Discounted Sale Scheme (MQDSS) has been to assist Service Personnel into home ownership. It has been popular, but has over the years necessarily helped a relatively modest number of personnel. This, combined with the proposed sale of the Married Quarters Estate, has resulted in consideration of a replacement scheme.
We now intend to replace the MQDSS with an interest free advance of pay for house purchase which is based on the current scheme available in the Royal Navy. The replacement scheme will come into effect on 1st August 1996.
The scheme will allow us to target resources more effectively to assist retention. It will be available to all Regular Army and RAF personnel aged 35 and over on pensionable engagements or commissions. The advance will be a maximum of £8,500 and will be repayable over 10 years of service. The qualifying age for the Royal Navy scheme will reduce from 25 to 23 years.