§ Dame Joan Vickersasked the Minister of State for Defence how many of Her Majesty's ships have been sold to other nations, sold for scrap, or were still lying tied up awaiting his decision as to their future in the years 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972 and to the nearest figure in 1973.
§ Mr. BuckThe figures are as follows:
War II, in 1964, in 1971 and in 1972; and if he will recommend an early review of the rate.
§ Mr. BlakerThe rate of parachute pay is assessed by the Armed Forces Pay Review Body, like all other rates of Service pay, additional pay and allowances. At the most recent regular review, which was in April 1972, the Review Body recommended an increase in the rate of parachute pay to 44 pence a day. The next regular review is due in April 1974.
COMPARISON OF DAILY RATES (DECIMAL) OF BASIC PAY AND PARACHUTE PAY FOR A PRIVATE CLASS 1 BAND 1 (NON-TRADESMAN) COMMITTED TO LESS THAN 6 YEARS' SERVICE (SCALE "A"). (1) (2) (3) (4) Basic Pay (a) Parachute Pay (3) as a percentage of (2) Year £ £ 1940 0.10 0.10 (See note(b)) Plus (See note (b)) 1964 2.23 0.37 16.6 1971 3.26 0.37 11.3 1972 3.54 0.44 12.4 Notes:
(a) The introduction of the military salary in 1970 completely changed the pay system, and no direct comparison can be made between basic rates of pay and allowances before and after that date. Briefly, pre-1970 rates were based on the assumption that service men received board and lodging free of charge, or allowances instead; and there was marriage allowance for married men. From 1970 onwards there has been an inclusive military salary, the same for married and single men, and charges are made for food and accommodation. The figures shown above for 1971 and 1972 are therefore fully comparable with each other: the figure for 1964 includes marriage 113W allowance and ration allowance, so as to make possible some sort of comparison with 1971 and 1972.
(b) There was an earlier reform of the pay structure in 1947, as a result of which no direct comparison is possible between the figures shown above for 1940 and for 1964. In particular, while basic pay was very low, the additional allowances payable in 1940 were at different rates depending on circumstances