§ 69. Mr. Hayasked the Secretary of State for Defence what difference exists in the rate of local overseas allowance paid to officers and men serving in the Royal Navy in the Mediterranean and in the Far East.
§ Mr. J. P. W. MallalieuRates of local overseas allowance paid to personnel in the Far East are greater than those paid in the Mediterranean because living costs are higher on the former station. The amount by which the rates differ varies according to what rank the officer or man holds, whether he is serving on shore or afloat, whether he is married or single, whether his family resides on the station and whether he is serving in the Hong Kong or Singapore area of the Far East. By way of illustration, a commander serving on shore in Singapore and occupying private accommodation there with his family would get almost 62s. 0d. a day more than his counterpart at Malta; whereas a leading rating in similar circumstances218W in Hong Kong would receive 34s. 6d. a day more than his equivalent in Malta.