§ Mr. HagueTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of whether the new provisions for members of the armed forces to make additional voluntary contributions to their pensions relating to payments additional to their basic salaries have been adequately publicised.
277W
§ Mr. NeubertArrangements under which members of the armed forces pension scheme may make freestanding additional voluntary contributions based on additional pay were widely promulgated to service personnel in January of this year. In order to provide the maximum possible time for personnel to take advantage of these arrangements within the 1988–89 tax year, promulgation was by signal. Further publication was intended to follow but has been deferred pending review and clarification of the provisions which will be appropriate when the proposed changes in AVC requirements and limits for tax relief purposes, announced during the Budget statement, take effect. I am satisfied that in these circumstances arrangements which are currently available to members of the armed forces have been appropriately publicised.