To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the percentage change in real terms in the annual amount of Government expenditure on military salaries between (i) 1969 and 1979 (ii) 1979 and 1989;(2) what is the percentage change in real terms in the pay upon appointment of
(a) a field marshal, (b) major generals, (c) colonels, (d) captains, (e) second lieutenants, (f) sergeants, (g) corporals, and (h) privates, between (i) 1969 and 1979 and (ii) 1979 and 1989.
Table 1 Intake to United Kingdom Regular Forces from civilian life
| |||||||
Males
| Females
| ||||||
Total number
| Total
| Officers
| Servicemen
| Total
| Officers
| Servicewomen
| |
All Services
| |||||||
| 1971–72 | 55,454 | 48,876 | 2,378 | 46,498 | 6,578 | 392 | 6,186 |
| 1972–73 | 46,324 | 41,007 | 1,989 | 39,018 | 5,317 | 359 | 4,958 |
| 1973–74 | 32,433 | 27,722 | 1,921 | 25,801 | 4,711 | 316 | 4,395 |
| 1974–75 | 42,236 | 36,852 | 1,890 | 34,962 | 5,384 | 273 | 5,111 |
| 1975–76 | 46,906 | 41,686 | 1,882 | 39,804 | 5,220 | 253 | 4,967 |
| 1976–77 | 40,244 | 36,390 | 2,007 | 34,383 | 3,854 | 320 | 3,534 |
| 1977–78 | 38,237 | 34,188 | 1,957 | 32,231 | 4,049 | 297 | 3,752 |
[holding answer 2 July 1990]: The military salary in its current form was not introduced until 1970 and it would not therefore be realistic to provide comparisons from before that date. Comparisons for the two 10-year periods commencing with the financial year 1970–71 are therefore provided.The real changes in rates of pay were:
| Financial year 1970–71 to financial year 1979–80 per cent. | Financial year 1979–80 to financial year 1988–89 per cent. | |
| Field Marshal | -24·3 | + 86·4 |
| Major General | -30·5 | +44·5 |
| Colonel | -12·1 | +29·7 |
| Captain | -4·8 | +21·9 |
| 2nd Lieutenant | -13·6 | +13·1 |
| Sergeant | +9·0 | 11·9 |
| Corporal | +10·7 | +9·0 |
| Private | +11·0 | -4·0 |