asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the fact that married personnel receive free rations on patrol at sea compared with single personnel who are compelled to pay for these rations; if he intends to rectify this anomaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Free Rations on Sea Duty.
163.
Limerick West): All single non-commissioned personnel of the Permanent Defence Force — including those on patrol duty with the Naval Service — are routinely issued with rations and are charged for them at the appropriate rate. The rate is £1.68 per day for three meals.
Married personnel are not normally issued with rations. Where they are, a married man is charged on the same basis as single personnel unless, because of the exigencies of the service, he is absent from his permanent station and separated from his family on temporary duty, for example on patrol duty on board ship.
The foregoing arrangements are of long standing and I do not propose to change them.