§ Mr. Maginnisasked the Minister of State for Defence how long he expects the Ulster Defence Regiment to remain in being.
§ Mr. BlakerThe Ulster Defence Regiment was established by Act of Parliament as a permanent feature of the security arrangements for Northern Ireland. It will continue in being for the foreseeable future.
§ Mr. Stratton Millsasked the Minister of State for Defence how many full-time members there are in the Ulster Defence Regiment; if he will set out in the 363W OFFICIAL REPORT the CON rate at which they are paid and to what extent they are understaffed; and if he will consider reviewing the rates of pay.
§ Mr. BlakerThe number of non-Regular permanent staff serving in the Ulster Defence Regiment at 30th September 1973 was 810 against an establishment of 1,302.
As regards pay, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 16th October.—[Vol. 861, c. 1–2.] The pay rates of non-Regular permanent staff—which at various times have been referred to as "Conrates"—are in Appendix IV of Cmnd. 5336 which is set out below.
NON-REGULAR PERMANENT STAFF—ULSTER DEFENCE REGIMENT Officers—Normal Rates New rates of pay Rank Daily Annual £ £ Captain— On appointment 5.80 2,117 After 3 years in the rank 6.10 2,227 After 6 years in the rank 6.40 2,336 Major— On appointment 7.46 2,723 After 3 years in the rank 7.76 2,832 After 6 years in the rank 8.06 2,942 Lieutenant-Colonel— On appointment 9.63 3,515 After 3 years in the rank 10.01 3,654 After 6 years in the rank 10.39 3,792
Soldiers—Normal Rates Rank New daily rate of pay £ Private B 3.25 Private A 3.46 Lance Corporal B 3.64 Lance Corporal B 3.80 Corporal B 4.26 Corporal A 4.50 Sergeant 5.20 Staff Sergeant 5.46 Warrant Office, Class II 5.68 Warrant Officer, Class I 5.93 364W
LENGTH OF SERVICE INCREMENTS—SOLDIERS Total increment after completion of the number of years reckonable service stated 3 6 9 £ £ £ Private 0.10 0.20 0.30 Lance Corporal Corporal Sergeant Staff Sergeant Warrant Officer, Class II Warrant Officer, Class I The pay of the Ulster Defence Regiment is normally reviewed at the same time as that of the rest of the Armed Forces. Its pay will, therefore, fall to be reviewed again as part of the 1974 pay review.