asked the Minister for Defence if money is made available to Army officers for the purchase of cars and if so: (a) the total amount of money advanced in each of the years 1970 to 1979 inclusive, (b) the number of officers to whom advances were made in each of those years, (c) the amount of repayments made in each year, (d) the heading of his Department's estimates Vote under which these payments are made, (e) if advances of this nature are made to both officers and men and if not, why, and (f) if such advances are governed by any regulation under the Defence Act, 1954, and, if so, if he will give the details.
Written Answers. - Army Officers' Car Purchase Facilities.
204.
Repayable advances are made to certain military officers to facilitate them in purchasing cars. The information sought at (a), (b) and (c) is as set out hereunder:
|
Year |
Total Amount Advanced |
Number of officers to whom advances were made |
Total repayments |
|
£ |
£ |
||
|
*1970/71 |
23,160 |
44 |
25,586 |
|
*1971/72 |
29,422 |
49 |
25,618 |
|
*1972/73 |
44,183 |
58 |
29,784 |
|
*1973/74 |
36,183 |
46 |
32,194 |
|
1974 (1 Apr to 31 Dec) |
27,790 |
33 |
28,116 |
|
1975 |
35,988 |
40 |
36,721 |
|
1976 |
56,084 |
43 |
38,578 |
|
1977 |
58,361 |
48 |
44,513 |
|
1978 |
62,615 |
53 |
53,597 |
|
1979 |
28,170 |
23 |
58,008 |
*Statistics shown are for financial years commencing 1 April and ending 31 March.
(d) The expenditure was met from Subhead J (Mechanical Transport) of the Vote for Defence.
(e) The advances are made only to certain officers whose duties could not be satisfactorily performed without the use of a car and where Army transport is not readily available. Such advances are not made to officers and men who do not require a car to perform their duties or who can avail of Army transport.
(f) The making of the advances is not prescribed in Defence Force Regulations but is governed by a sanction from the Minister for Finance.