HC Deb 30 April 1982 vol 22 cc384-5W
Mr. Brotherton

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what rate of local overseas allowance is laid down in naval pay regulations for officers and ratings in ships whose last port of call was Gibraltar.

Mr. Blaker

Officers and ratings would be in receipt of local overseas allowance at the daily rate appropriate to the Mediterranean area while at Gibraltar and under normal conditions the same rate would continue in payment until the next overseas port of call at which shore leave was granted. These rates vary with rank. For example, £1.45 a day for a lieutenant RN or 97p a day for a leading Seaman. If the ship were returning to the United Kingdom without further opportunity for overseas shore leave, entitlement to LOA would cease from the date of leaving Gibraltar.

For the reasons given in my written answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Halesowen and Stourbridge (Mr. Stokes) on 21 April 1982—[Vol. 22, c. 111]—a standard rate of LOA of £1 a day is currently payable to all service personnel in the Falkland Islands task force.

Mr. Brotherton

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what rate of local overseas allowance is laid down in naval pay regulations for officers and ratings in ships whose last ports of call were in West Indies ports.

Mr. Blaker

Officers and ratings would be in receipt of local overseas allowance at the daily rate appropriate to the American area while at the West Indies port and, under normal conditions, the same rate would continue in payment until the next overseas port of call at which shore leave was granted. These rates vary with rank: for example £3.35 a day for a lieutenant RN or £2.77 a day for a leading seaman. If the ship were returning to the United Kingdom without further opportunity for overseas shore leave, entitlement to LOA would cease from the date of leaving the West Indies port.

For the reasons given in my written answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Halesowen and Stourbridge (Mr. Stokes) on 21 April 1982—[Vol. 22, c. 111]—a standard rate of LOA of £1 a day is currently payable to all service personnel in the Falkland Islands task force.