HC Deb 08 August 1980 vol 990 cc479-80W
Mr. Viggers

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about his Department's plans to provide assistance to Service men to buy their own homes.

Mr. Pym

Schemes of assistance for the Army and RAF have been under consideration, which would make full six-month advances of pay available at age 30 to both married and single personnel, together with improvements to the present Naval scheme to bring it into line, but leaving the age of eligibility for naval personnel unchanged. However, as part of the action which I am taking to keep defence expenditure within the cash limits for 1980–81 the introduction of these schemes is not possible this year. They will be considered for funding as soon as the financial situation permits.