HL Deb 25 November 1985 vol 468 c785WA
The Earl of Selkirk

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether it is the normal practice for service personnel charged with an offence to have their pay docked before they are convicted of any offence whether or not they are arrested in the course of the charges brought against them.

Lord Trefgarne

Service personnel held in custody awaiting trial by court martial do not have their pay withheld. Neither do they forfeit their pay unless their term in custody forms part of a sentence of detention or imprisonment subsequently awarded. In certain circumstances issues of pay to Service personnel held in civil custody may be withheld or restricted as a temporary administrative arrangement, but in general may only be forfeited if the period of custody subsequently forms part of a sentence of detention or imprisonment.