Mr. Speaker, some senior officers at national defence headquarters are drawing separation expenses, that is they are being paid an allowance because they have chosen to retain their home elsewhere during their tour of duty here in Ottawa.
No one would object to reimbursing out of pocket expenses during a temporary dislocation from home and family. But when such reimbursement becomes a permanent part of an individual's pay package something is wrong with the system.
Will the Minister of National Defence advise the House how long that is, for what period of time separation allowance is normally paid?