Royal Air Force—USSR Air Force (Exchange Visits) (Hansard, 27 May 1977)

§ Mr. Churchill
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what approaches have been made by the Soviet Union in regard to possible exchange visits between RAF and Soviet Air Force units; and what reply has been given.

§ Mr. Wellbeloved
As explained in the Statement on Defence Estimates 1977, the Final Act of the Helsinki Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe envisaged certain military confidence-building measures designed to enhance stability in Europe. These include exchange of military personnel. In the light of this the Soviet Government proposed an exchange of flying units in 1977. After careful consideration, they were informed that for practical reasons, including the very busy ceremonial programme of the

Increase in:

Pay Married accommodation charge

Per cent. £ per week Per cent. £ per week

Private … … … Round 1 13.9 600 16.8 1.05

… … … Round 2 5.1 2.50 13.5 0.98

Sergeant … … … Round 1 8.8 6.00 16.5 1.19

… … … Round 2 5.0 3.73 14.2 1.19

Lieutenant … … … Round 1 8.9 6.00 17.6 1.75

… … … Round 2 5.0 3.74 12.6 1.47

Colonel … … … Round 1 — —^* 18.4 2.45

… … … Round 2 2.4 4.00 12.4 1.96

^* No pay supplement because of £8.500 cut-off.

§ Mr. Churchill
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the reasons for the increase under phases 1 and 2 of the Government's pay code of average industrial earnings by 19.9 per cent. compared with that of the Armed Forces which have increased by 14.4 per cent.

§ Mr. Mulley
The higher percentage increase in civilian earnings compared with that for the Armed Forces under phases 1 and 2 of the Government's counter-inflation policy is the result of a number of factors. For example, opportunities for additional overtime in the civil sector and the effect of people moving to new and higher paid jobs, both of which were referred to by the Armed Forces Pay Review Body in its last report (Cmnd. 6801), have contributed to the disparate movement in the percentages. The figures have also been affected by pay settlements for outside groups which
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RAF this year, it would not be possible to arrange for a suitable exchange visit.

					Increase in:
					Pay	Married accommodation charge
					Per cent.	£ per week	Per cent.	£ per week
Private	…	…	…	Round 1	13.9	600	16.8	1.05
	…	…	…	Round 2	5.1	2.50	13.5	0.98
Sergeant	…	…	…	Round 1	8.8	6.00	16.5	1.19
	…	…	…	Round 2	5.0	3.73	14.2	1.19
Lieutenant	…	…	…	Round 1	8.9	6.00	17.6	1.75
	…	…	…	Round 2	5.0	3.74	12.6	1.47
Colonel	…	…	…	Round 1	—	—^*	18.4	2.45
	…	…	…	Round 2	2.4	4.00	12.4	1.96
^* No pay supplement because of £8.500 cut-off.