HL Deb 27 June 1985 vol 465 cc899-900WA
Lord Hill-Norton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

By how much income over the year April 1985—April 1986 will fall below the level recommended by the Armed Forces Pay Review Body (Cmnd. 9526) on account of the staging of the award, in each of the ranks for which the review body is responsible.

Lord Trefgarne

The Government have implemented this year's recommendations of the AFPRB on armed forces pay in full with effect from 1st April 1985, without staging. All ranks will therefore receive the full recommended income for the year.

Lord Hill-Norton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they agree with the Review Body on Armed Forces Pay that there is "a growing feeling (among service men and women) of less than fair treatment over allowances and other, non-pay conditions of service" (Cmnd. 9526, para. 7); if so, what remedies they have in mind, and if not, why not.

Lord Trefgarne

We recognise that there is a certain amount of dissatisfaction with particular aspects of non-pay conditions of service. For example, the recent announcement of reduction in the rate of local overseas allowance payable for service in Germany caused some genuine concern among those affected. But the Government always try to ensure that, within the limits of justifiable public expenditure, our service men are given the best possible conditions of service package. In recent months, a number of improvements have been made. In particular, we have:

  1. a. introduced the 30 per cent. discount scheme on the sale of surplus married quarters to service men and women;
  2. b. agreed the introduction of Falkland Islands pay for certain repeat tours in the South Atlantic;
  3. c. made a number of improvements to conditions of service in Northern Ireland.
We shall continue to pay very close attention to all non-pay conditions of service and the justification for further improvements will be considered as the need arises.