The allowance to which the hon. Gentleman refers the accumulated turbulence bonuses (ATB). These are ending on 31 March 2007 following a decision agreed in 2003 as part of a rebalancing of pay and allowances to target better those personnel who experience the most separation. This change has been well publicised across all three services.
The 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards made a representation to retain the ATB for the duration of their tour of Afghanistan between March and November 2007. While full consideration was given to the representation, it was concluded that there was no justification for treating them differently from other parts of the armed forces. ATB will however be paid to those personnel who qualify for it until the end of March 2007. After that, they will move onto the new allowance system—longer separation allowance—which has a maximum daily payment of £25.42 per day, compared with the current maximum daily payment of £12.82.