§ Mr. Home RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many reservists on S type engagement in the regular forces are currently deployed with the British contingent in UNPROFOR; and if he will give a summary of the categories of reservists concerned.
§ Mr. HanleyMembers of the Territorial Army and the Royal Marines Reserve may volunteer to undertake short regular engagements or commissions on special terms. No one serving on that basis is currently deployed as part of the British contingent of UNPROFOR.
§ Mr. AingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to seek information on the monthly additional allowances paid by countries contributing troops to the UNPROFOR mission since 28 January; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HanleyHaving now received some information from other countries participating in the UNPROFOR mission, I am satisfied that the current arrangements for paying United Kingdom service personnel in the former Yugoslavia are both fair and justifiable and compare well with other nations. All personnel serving under United Nations auspices in Bosnia, including United Kingdom personnel, receive a United Nations allowance of $1.28 per day and a lump sum of $73.50 to cover rest and recreation: this is passed on in full by the British Government.
There are, however, inevitable differences in the pay and allowance regimes of the various participating nations. United Kingdom service personnel, for example are not paid "danger money". But their basic salary is in general significantly higher than the other nations' troops. For example the basic pay of British junior NCOs is some 70 per cent. higher than their French counterparts, some 55 per cent. higher than their Belgian counterparts and 112W some 35 per cent. higher than their Norwegian counterparts. In addition, all United Kingdom personnel receive, throughout their career and irrespective of where they are stationed, an X-factor representing an 11.5 per cent. enhancement of basic salary which contains an element which recognises the need for them to serve on occasions under difficult and dangerous circumstances.
Troop reimbursement costs paid to nations providing personnel for United Nations deployments are intended to allow participating Governments to recover certain costs from the United Nations, including an element for the salary costs of personnel on a per capita basis. United Kingdom personnel continue to receive their full pay and allowances from the British Government, including for those deployed from Germany and proportion of their local overseas allowance at a rate of 70 per cent. for married personnel and 40 per cent. for singles, in recognition of their continuing financial commitments at home.
§ Mr. AingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) purusant to his answer of 28 January,Official Report, column 425, if he will give a breakdown of the annual receipts and costs areas they cover received by his Department from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for the British contribution to UNPROFOR;
(2) what has been the cost to his Department of the British contribution to UNPROFOR in each of the last three financial years; and if he will give a breakdown;
(3) what costs have been reclaimed by his Department from the Foreign and Commonwealth office for each year since Britain contributed troops, equipment and expertise to UNPROFOR.
§ Mr. HanleyUNPROFOR was established in financial year 1992–93 when the additional cost of the British contribution amounted to some £63,000,000. This amount was reimbursed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to the Ministry of Defence in full in financial year 1992–93 and comprised £1 million for personnel costs; £8 million for set-up costs; £12 million for deployment; £38 million for sustainment; and £4 million for miscellaneous support and equipment. For the current financial year, it is anticipated that the additional cost will amount to some £75 million which will be reimbursed in full by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.