Dr. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the nature and purpose of the questionnaire being secretly circulated to officers and men of the Royal Navy inquiring into their circumstances and their views on future emoluments in lieu of accommodation and kindred matters; whether he is aware that the questions suggest their own answers; what advice men are allowed to seek in filling in such forms confidentially; and if he will lay copies of the relevant documents.
§ Mr. ReynoldsNo questionnaires are being circulated secretly to the Fleet. I assume the hon. Member is referring to a recent survey carried out, with the full agreement and co-operation of the Ministry of Defence and the Services, by the National Board for Prices and Incomes as part of its work on the standing reference on the pay of the Armed Forces. The content and handling of the survey were agreed by the Board with the Ministry of Defence; no questions are drafted to suggest an answer, which would be a self-defeating exercise. As the purpose of the survey is to assist the Board in assessing the opinions of individual servicemen, it would be improper for me, or anyone else, to advise them how to reply. The questionnaire is a confidential communication between the Board and the individuals concerned; it is for the Board to consider whether, and if so how, it might be published.