§ Mr. Hargreavesasked the Secretary of State for Defence how much the foreign service allowance was in 1978, 1981 and 1985, respectively, at 1985 prices; and what was the equivalent in deutschmarks at the forces fixed rate of exchange.
§ Mr. BrookeI have been asked to reply.
I assume that the hon. Member is interested in rates of foreign service allowance paid to United Kingdom-based civilian staff in Germany who work in support of the British forces Germany. There are different rates of FSA for staff serving in other countries and other parts of Germany.
The rates of FSA paid to such staff in each year in question are as follows with their equivalents in deutschmarks at the average of the forces fixed rates of exchange which were effective in each of those years. The figures have been adjusted to 1985 prices to reflect inflation in Germany. The rates of FSA are for United Kingdom-based civilian staff at clerical officer (FSA band 5) level and at principal level and above (FSA band 1) who are single, or married and accompanied by their spouse and one child.
1978 £ DM 1981 £ DM 1985 £ DM Band 5 Single 1,753 7,275 1,047 4,554 155 597 Married 2,949 12,238 2,163 9,409 1,420 5,467 Band 1 Single 2,099 8,711 1,047 4,554 155 597 Married 4,914 20,393 3,512 15,277 1,420 5,467 However, FSA is calculated as a supplement to Civil Service pay and ought not to be viewed in isolation. Comparable figures showing what has happened to Civil Service pay plus FSA in Germany over the period in question are as follows:
1978 £ DM 1981 £ DM 1985 £ DM Band 5 Single 4,901 20,339 5,075 22,076 5,532 21,298 Married 6,401 26,564 6,651 28,932 7,480 28,798 Band 1 Single 8,831 36,649 9,455 41,129 12,375 47,644 Married 12,057 50,037 12,382 53,862 14,323 55,144