§ Mr. Banksasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the recent pay increases awarded to Her Majesty's Forces in percentage terms on the previous payroll and the total value in £ millions at 1977 survey prices.
§ Mr. MulleyThe pay increase awarded from April 1978 to all ranks in the Armed Forces up to the rank of brigadier amounted in total to 14 per cent. on the 1977 pay bill, made up of 13 per cent. on the military salary, including a partial restoration of the full value of the "X factor", and increases in certain allowances together with a standstill on 615W accommodation charges which added a further 1 per cent. to the net bill. Officers of the rank of major-general and above were subsequently awarded a 10 per cent. increase on their military salary from 1st January 1978. The cost of these increases is about £167 million in the current year.