To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the new operational bonus will be liable to (a) employee and (b) employer national insurance contributions. (94580)

[holding answer 17 October 2006]: The new operational bonus, to be called “operational allowance”, will not be liable for either employee or employer national insurance contributions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the eligibility criteria for the new operational bonus. (94583)

[holding answer 17 October 2006]: Yes. The eligibility criteria will form part of the regulations for the operational allowance; the regulations will be placed in the Library once they have been finalised.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the first payment of the new operational bonus to be paid to armed forces personnel. (94584)

[holding answer 17 October 2006]: The first payment of the new operational bonus, to be called “operational allowance”, will be made as soon as possible. Priority will be given to those returning (or who have already returned) from operational locations that qualify for the allowance.