HC Deb 21 November 1978 vol 958 cc537-8W
37. Mr. Banks

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what are the terms of reference for the study of Service men's pay and conditions to be undertaken by the three Services.

Mr. Hooson

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is setting up a committee to review Forces' pay and conditions; and what arrangements are junior officers and other ranks on the being made for the representation of committee.

Mr. Mulley

A departmental management study has been set up with wide-ranging terms of reference covering many aspects of Service life and conditions, including a review of the work of the military salary concept since this was introduced at the beginning of the 1970s. The study is being undertaken by a small number of senior officers with recent experience in the field of personnel management. They are therefore very aware of the more pressing personnel problems throughout the Services and will be supplementing this knowledge from a wide range of sources, including of course the views of both commissioned and non-commissioned personnel of all the ranks. I expect the study to be completed next year and its recommendations will then be a matter for internal consideration, and, in as far as appropriate, no doubt for the consideration of the Review Body on Armed Forces Pay as well.