§ Mr. Banksasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the approximate dates when excess baggage charges for Service men in the Army were increased during the last 10 years with the percentage increase and the reasons given.
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§ Mr. Robert C. BrownExcess baggage charges for Army personnel have been increased twice during the last 10 years. On 1st May 1968 the rates, which vary according to destination, were increased by an average of 2 per cent. for excess volume and 1.76 per cent. for excess weight. In 1977 the rates were increased by an average of 189 per cent. for excess volume and 174 per cent. for excess weight, and the increase was implemented in two stages on 1st June 1977 and 1st October 1977. These increases were necessary to reflect the actual commercial freight costs incurred by the Department in moving baggage in excess of personal entitlements.
§ Mr. Banksasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out the numbers of free travel warrants available to Service men and their families.
§ Dr. GilbertService men stationed in the United Kingdom are entitled to four free leave travel warrants during each leave year for return journeys from their duty station to any destination in the United Kingdom. In addition, married Service men stationed in the United Kingdom are entitled to up to eight free travel warrants annually when they are separated from their families. Families of Service men are not entitled to free leave travel warrants, but a married Service man may transfer up to two of his four annual leave warrants, and any
Previous rates Current rate from 1st January 1977 1st September 1975 to 31st December 1976 1st October 1973 to 31st August 1975 £ £ £ Basic Rate Service officers … 153 126 84 Servicemen … 114 95 63 Higher Supplement rate Service officers … 76 63 42 Servicemen … 57 47 31.50 Lower Supplement rate Service officers … 38 32 21 Servicemen … 29 24 15.75 Children's Allowance (all ranks) One child … 57 49 35 Two children … 106 90 65 Three children … 122 104 75