§ Mr. Dempseyasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when the Territorial Army officers' present annual clothing allowance and bounty were fixed; at what figures they would now require to be fixed to take account of the decline in the purchasing power of money; and whether he will increase them;
(2) when it is proposed to announce the increases in the rates of bounty paid to other ranks in the Territorial Army which the previous Minister of Defence foreshadowed;
(3) what representations have been received by his Department about the desirability of raising the minimum requirements for the earning of bounty by Territorial Army soldiers; and what action he will take.
§ Mr. ReynoldsThe annual allowance made to officers of the Territorial Army for the maintenance of certain items of uniform was fixed at the present rate of £4 in 1963. The rate is normally reviewed triennially and thus, it will again be examined in 1966. Bounties for Territorial Army officers were introduced with effect from 1st November, 1955.
If the annual clothing allowance and bounties were to be fixed to take account of the decline in the purchasing power of money, without regard to other relevant factors, it is estimated that the figures for clothing allowance would be £4 2s. 0d. and for bounties £8 15s. 6d. (basic) and £18 16s. 0d. (higher).
The review of the bounty arrangements foreshadowed by the previous Secretary of State for Defence is still in progress. Until it has been completed it is not possible to say what changes will result nor from what date the changes will take place.
No representations have been received that the minimum requirements for the earning of bounty by Territorial Army soldiers should be raised.