§ Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for Defence what ranks in Her Majesty' Forces are entitled to have the cost of boarding education for their children met from public funds; and what is the basis on which particular ranks have been made eligible for this benefit.
§ Mr. HayhoeService families are subject to frequent postings at home and abroad. Boarding school allowance was therefore introduced for the Armed Forces in 1955 to assist Service parents in providing a continuity of education for their children. The allowance is not intended to cover the full cost of a boarding education but is available to Service men, regardless of rank or location. Payment is made within maximum rates which are updated periodically by reference to the movement of fees at a representative sample of schools. Current 677W maximum annual rates, effective from September 1978, are: for the first and second child—£1,182; for the third child—£1,407; and for the fourth and each subsequent child—£1,464.