Thanks to Iain Dale we can see that Des Browne the woeful Defence Secretary has been at it again. He was asked by Dr Liam Fox why members of the armed forces stationed in Kuwait, 30 miles from Basra, would not receive the extra allowance so recently announced by this government. Des Browne replied that "it is not true". Dr Fox then said " I am delighted that those operational bonuses will apply, because those issues have been raised with us by members of the armed forces so that they can get clarification from the Government. If it is clear that we will get such clarification, I will be delighted—and so will they be." Lovely, all clear to everyone?
Well not really, it appears "In a written answer to Mark Harper on 12 December 2006, the then Defence Minister Derek Twigg said: "The specified qualifying locations for the operational allowance are the geographical boundaries of Iraq, Afghanistan and the Balkans..."" So not members of the armed forces in Kuwait.
Iain Dale continues "I have made enquiries with the Ministry of Defence and it seems Des Browne's reply has caused a minor storm among civil servants there along the lines of "what the **** did he think he was saying?" They confirm that troops in Kuwait DO NOT qualify for the Operational Allowance, unlike those serving in the US Army."
Now I am confused, why did Des Browne say what he said? Was he lying? Surely not, he is a cabinet minister in a government that is "whiter than white". Was he misinformed by his civil servants? If so I await his apology on their behalf.
In fact whatever the reason that he appears to have mislead the House, I await his apology.
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