Written question asked by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton (Conservative) on Tuesday, 7 February 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 9 February 2006. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Monday, 27 February 2006 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Duty Tours

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will change the guidelines for rest and recuperation from operational theatres to offer a minimum of 12 days in the UK or home country for a six month tour of duty, and pro-rata subject to a minimum qualifying period for tours of a shorter duration.

Answer: At the discretion of the chain of command, rest and recuperation (R and R) is granted to personnel, serving in operational theatres or remote locations for periods in excess of four months, to allow them the time to rest offline to recharge their batteries in order to sustain their operational effectiveness. It is essential that, to maintain the operational tempo and for reasons of financial propriety, R and R is taken as close to the theatre of duty as possible, although if the operational situation permits and subject to the commander's endorsement, R and R may be taken at the individual's home address. Personnel on a six month tour would always, if it were operationally possible, receive at least 12 days R and R. The detail of how the days served on an operation should be translated into an R and R allowance has recently been reviewed and is currently in the process of being agreed.

Secondary information