Written question asked by Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Baroness Taylor of Bolton (Labour) on Thursday, 28 January 2010.

Chief of the General Staff

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what payments were made from 1 April 2008 to 31 December 2009 to General Sir Richard Dannatt as salary, payment towards pension, reimbursement for expenses in connection with his duties as Chief of the General Staff, and any other payments.

Answer: The salary scale for military personnel of 4 star level, as at 1 April 2008, was between £154,700.04 and £170,790.96 which was raised to £162,212.04 to £179,084.04 from 1 April 2009. The amounts awarded as salary and payments towards pensions for an individual are considered personal data and are therefore protected from disclosure under the Data Protection Act 1998. Over the period 1 April 2008 to 31 December 2009 General Sir Richard Dannatt submitted total claims as follows: Official Hosting reimbursements totalling—£1,019.72; Official Entertainment reimbursements totalling—£6,588.01; and Incidental claims totalling—£568.37. Additionally he was entitled to services that, at 2008-09 rate, cost: Cleaning Services - £10,485 Staff Car—£4,993; and Qualified driver—£34,662 (indicative annual salary for a dedicated qualified driver).

Secondary information