Mr Bryant t asked the Minister for the Army, upon notice -

1.   What provisions operate in connexion with the payment of removal expenses and displacement allowances to Army personnel?

2.   How many applicants have been refused the displacement allowance in each command this year on the grounds of insufficient furniture?

3.   What is the method of valuation?

4.   At what level is the decision taken to reject an application?

Mr Cramer - The answers to the honorable member's questions are -

1.   When a member is posted for an envisaged period of at least twelve months approval may be given for the removal of his family, furniture and effects from his home at his old station to an unfurnished residence at his new station. Provision also exists for payment of depreciation allowance lo compensate for accelerated depreciation of his furniture and effects, and for the cost of necessary replacement and alteration to furnishings as a result of removal. In addition, any specific damage to furniture, &c, is repaired at no cost to the member or an amount of compensation is paid. The allowance may be paid where the value of the furniture and household effects, excluding clothing and personal effects, moved to the new residence is not less than £500. The rate of allowance payable varies according to the number of full removals involved as follows: - First or second removal, £20; third or fourth removal, £30; fifth and subsequent removals, £40.

2.   During the calendar year 1958 to date seven applications for disturbance allowance have been rejected. These rejections, by commands, are as follows: - Eastern Command, 4; Northern Command, 1; Tasmania Command, 1; Western Command, 1.

3.   Initially the valuation placed by the member on his furniture and household effects is obtained. In the case of the seven which were not approved members did not claim that the value of their furniture and household effects was more than £500.

4.   The command paymaster of the command at the member's new station is the approving and paying officer for disturbance allowance.