Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of introducing financial support for military families wishing to transport their pets to and from countries where those families are deployed.

There are no criteria within the Local Overseas Allowance that acknowledge pets, as the provision is based on average living costs in the UK, which does not include pets. Additionally, there is no allowance or entitlement for domestic pets to use Ministry of Defence transport. Only official Service animals (police and military working dogs) and non-military working dogs (search and rescue), or assistance dogs (guide or listening dogs), may be conveyed at public expense. As such, pets are considered the personal choice and responsibility of Service personnel and their families.