§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what rules govern the payment of salary to(a) Royal Navy, (b) Army and (c) Royal Air Force personnel whilst they are awaiting confirmation of a disciplinary sentence. [13162]
§ Mr. SoamesThe payment of salary in these circumstances is governed by(a) the Naval Discipline Act 1957 (b) the Army Act 1955 (c) the Air Force Act 1955, in conjunction with the single service pay regulations and Queen's Regulations. In the Royal Navy there is no confirmatory procedure: sentences, including those which affect pay, are effective immediately. At present, where individuals in Army and RAF cases are awaiting confirmation of a disciplinary sentence, all sentences, including those which affect pay, are also effective immediately. In the event of the sentences in Army and RAF cases being quashed, any sums deducted are of course, repaid. The Armed Forces Act 1996, however, provides for the abolition of confirmation procedures for the Army and RAF, thereby bringing arrangements in these services into line with those of the Royal Navy.