HL Deb 15 July 1981 vol 422 c1368WA
Lord Orr-Ewing

asked Her Majesty's Government:

By what average percentage armed forces' pay has increased since May 1979 and how this compares with the rate of inflation over the same period.

Viscount Trenchard

Since May 1979 the average pay of the armed forces has increased by 37 per cent. This figure includes the increase of 8.3 per cent. originally due to be paid on 1st April 1980 as the second stage of the 1979 pay award, but which this Government met immediately upon taking office and backdated to 1st April 1979. We estimate that over the same period the index of retail prices has risen by about 36 per cent.

House adjourned at twenty-five minutes before midnight.