§ Mr. ColmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether increases to maximum levels for Reservists Standard Awards will continue to be fixed to(a) inflation levels and (b) an earnings index; [110466]
(2) whether reservists serving in the Gulf will be able to backdate any increase in the Reservists Standard Award that is agreed on in the next year to include the time spent in the Gulf at any point in 2003; [110465]
(3) when his Department will be implementing increases to the Reservists Standard Award under SI 1997/309. [110464]
§ Dr. MoonieThe current regulations covering Reservist Standard Awards, as set out in SI 1997/309 (The Reserve Forces (Call-out and Recall)(Financial Assistance) Regulations), do not contain a provision to increase the maximum levels of the banded rates. A consultation paper with proposals for revising the financial assistance available to reservists under SI 309/97 when called out into permanent service will be issued shortly. Such a consultation is required under the Reserve Forces Act 1996, prior to any changes being implemented.