§ Mr. Wrigglesworthasked the Prime Minister, further to her replies of 29 April and 22 May, what is the cost of the 16.8 per cent. increase in pay for the Armed Services in the full year 1980–81 ; and whether this will be contained within cash limits.
§ The Prime Minister: The estimated cost in 1980–81 of implementing the recommendations on Service pay in the 95W Armed Forces Pay Review Body report is approximately £300 million. As I have already made clear, the Government will ensure that the cost of the settlement is not at the expense of other parts of the defence programme and a statement on the consequences for the defence cash limit will be made in due course.