CONCERNS have been raised over the funding of private school places for military personnel by the Ministry of Defence.

Some £84 million of public money was spent last year by the MoD on sending the children of service personnel to top private schools such as Fettes, Gordonstoun, Eton and Wellington.

Most of those benefitting from the subsidy are officers rather than rank-and-file soldiers, sailors and airmen and eight out of 10 recipients are based in Britain rather than overseas.

Douglas Chapman, an SNP MP who sits on the Defence Select Committee, said: "I was surprised to learn that many of those who take advantage of this subsidy are not serving abroad on long tours of duty, where perhaps an educational continuity allowance could be justified, but most claimants are based here in the UK.

"In addition, many taxpayers will be concerned that those who are on the highest salary bands, through all the officer ranks, are those who are more likely to take advantage of this subsidy with those in the lowest ranks proportionately least likely to benefit.

"At a time when the public finances are under huge strain this is surely time for those with the broadest shoulders to bear the costs of privately educating their own children and not expecting the ordinary tax payer to take on the burden."

Mr Chapman said he had asked the chair of the committee to suggest ways the Westminster Government could save money by altering the conditions in which military officers become eligible for the subsidy.

The allowance is worth between £9,087 and £30,252 a year per child, depending on their age and whether they have special educational needs.