§ Mr. John Morrisasked the Minister of State for Defence what advice was given to the First Battalion Welsh Guards during their posting in Germany as to how their service in Northern Ireland would affect their privilege of being able to import goods bought more than 12 months before the end of their posting in Germany duty-free and purchase tax-free to the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. BlakerThe rules about Customs concessions are contained in general Ministry of Defence instructions which are brought to the attention of all units serving in Germany.
§ Mr. John Morrisasked the Minister of State for Defence how many soldiers whose normal posting was Germany, having had this posting interrupted by service for four months in Northern Ireland, have had their tax and duty privileges on import of goods to the United Kingdom affected.
§ Mr. BlakerUnits from Germany have been sent on four month tours in Northern214W Ireland for the past three and a quarter years. During that time some 23,000 soldiers from BAOR have served in Northern Ireland.
From the point of view of duty-free privileges, any of these soldiers who were sent to Northern Ireland during the last 16 months of their overseas tour might have been affected but it is impossible to say how many without individual inquiry.