HC Deb 21 December 1967 vol 756 cc519-20W
Mr. Pardoe

asked the Secretary of State for Defence which ranks are able to obtain an interest-free loan for the purchase of a car overseas.

Mr. Reynolds:

There is none from public funds.

Mr. Pardoe

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what instructions he has issued to forces serving overseas to restrict personal expenditure.

Mr. Reynolds:

Members of the Armed Forces stationed in countries which have not devalued may continue to draw at the former rate of exchange whatever part of their pay and allowances they have increases require special justification. This is normally drawn in local currency; but is a temporary measure while local overseas allowances are being reassessed.

Mr. Pardoe

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what local overseas allowances are payable to members of Her Majesty's forces; when these were last reviewed; and what has been the effect on their purchasing power since the last review.

Mr. Reynolds:

Rates of local overseas allowances differ according to rank and marital status and vary between different areas of the world. They are reviewed over a continuous four yearly cycle. It is not possible to state the precise effect on their purchasing power between reviews.