HC Deb 09 March 1978 vol 945 cc767-9W
32. Sir G. de Freitas

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of the gross national product was spent on defence in the NATO area by each of the members of NATO in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Mr. Mulley

Recent NATO statistics show that the proportion of gross domestic product devoted to defence by NATO members in each of the last five years was as follows:

soldiers posted to Army quarters in Woolwich are now required to pay a deposit of £30 before electricity supplies can be connected; and if he will estimate the number of soldiers and their families who are affected by this decision.

Mr. Wellbeloved

The Army has accepted that soldiers at Woolwich should, like their civilian counterparts, pay the £30 deposit imposed by the London Electricity Board on all new customers. There are currently 700 Service families in Army quarters in the Woolwich area and there is a yearly changeover of around 350.

Mr. Cartwright

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what financial assistance is provided by his Department for soldiers required to pay a deposit before electricity supplies can be connected to their quarters.

Mr. Wellbeloved

Soldiers below the rank of sergeant may draw an advance of up to £30 from their pay, or if they and their families have been transferred, from their disturbance allowance, to pay deposits to the fuel boards.

Mr. Cartwright

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what form of electric heating is provided in military quarters in the Woolwich area; and if he will estimate the average weekly running costs.

Mr. Wellbeloved

Of the 759 married quarters owned by the Army in the Woolwich area, 116 are heated by night storage heaters and 140 by electric warm air systems. As occupants of married quarters pay their electricity bills direct to the appropriate electricity board, and personal circumstances and preferences vary widely, an accurate figure for heating costs cannot be provided. On the basis of a technical assessment, however, it is estimated that heating costs for soldiers stationed in the London area would average out to about £4 per week throughout the year.

Mr. Cartwright

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will initiate discussions with the London Electricity Board to secure the withdrawal of the £30 deposit required before electricity supply is connected to soldiers' quarters in the Woolwich area.

Mr. Wellbeloved

No.