§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether the Government still intend to make the promised pay award to the Armed Forces on 1 April; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will give an undertaking that, if the Government do not give the Armed Forces the promised pay award on 1 April, the subsequent pay award will be backdated to 1 April.
§ Mr. MulleyThe Armed Forces Pay Review Body is expected to present its 777W report to the Prime Minister shortly. The Government will announce their decision on the pay award for the Armed Forces as quickly as possible thereafter. The award will reflect the commitment which the Prime Minister announced on 25 April 1978 to restore the full updated military salary in two approximately equal stages in 1979 and 1980. The new rates of pay will be effective from 1 April 1979, and will be put into payment as soon as practicable and with, if necessary, appropriate retrospection.