asked the Secretary of State for War what entertainment and other allowances are paid to military attachés of the rank of GSO I, attached to His Majesty's Embassies abroad; and what increases or decreases in scales have been brought into operation over the last two years.

All military attachés receive consolidated allowances, known as station allowances. These fluctuate with the expenses of living in the various countries to which the attachés are accredited. Numerous adjustments have been made in recent years.

Is the hon. Gentleman quite sure that his Department has not in any case made adjustments down when the cost of living in the country concerned has been rising?

There have been only two cases of adjustments down. One was due to a local devaluation and the other to a local fall in the cost of living.