§ Mr. ReedTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the pay of medical and dental officers in the armed forces. [87664]
§ Mr. George RobertsonThe Armed Forces Pay Review Body has made recommendations on the pay of medical and dental officers in the armed forces. In view of the particular retention difficulties in the Defence Medical Services, the Review Body recommends that all medical and dental officers should receive a general 4.5 per cent. increase in basic pay. The Review Body also recommends, in order to achieve greater comparability with equivalent personnel in the NHS, an increase to Trainers' Pay and the activation of a Distinction Award scheme.
The Government have decided to accept the Review Body's recommendations and these will be payable in full from 1 April 1999.