BLACK WATCH IN IRAQ: POST A PRESENT TO YOUR SON? IT'LL COST pounds 10

Kevin McHale was killed instantly in the crashFAMILIES of Black Watch troops posted to Iraq are being charged by the MoD for sending morale-boosting gifts to their loved ones.

When the Black Watch were on their first tour of duty in Iraq last year, Army bosses covered the cost for relatives to send parcels from home to cheer up our boys. Now the penny-pinching MoD have stopped the service because, astonishingly, they claim we are no longer at war in Iraq.

Yesterday, disgusted relatives of Black Watch troops condemned the decision as our boys spent their second day in Iraq's terrorist- infested Triangle of Death. Families are being charged up to pounds 10 a time to send packages from the UK. The blanket decision applies to all British troops sent to Iraq.

Jim Buchanan, 57, from Arbroath, Angus, whose two sons are in the Black Watch, said: "The troops have already come under attack - so what's that if it's not a war zone?"

He added: "This decision is a disgrace. I rarely get to speak to my sons and things I send out there like letters, food, cigarettes and photos mean the world to them.

"To be charged for this now is totally outrageous considering my sons are putting their lives on the line for around 94p an hour.

"The Government has a cheek to ask us to pay for this when Ministers are enjoying an expenses bill of pounds 78million."

Rob Scott, 61, of Methil, Fife, whose grandson, Charles, 18, is serving in Iraq, said: "This just makes things more difficult for the soldiers who are out there in very dangerous conditions.

"If the Government had any decency and held us in any sort of esteem at all they would reverse this decision."

Families had previously been allowed to send parcels up to 2kg to troops free of charge. Any items above this weight incurred costs.

But army bosses pointed out that the charges that have been brought in only cover transportation from Scotland to London before being ferried to Iraq.

Top brass said yesterday that the free mailing policy was stopped after the "war-fighting phase" of the conflict because troops now have access to stores.

"Troops can now buy stuff they need from within their permanent bases," a spokeswoman said.

"Everyone is living under the same rules and people are charged the same amount they would be to send something from Scotland to Warminster. We're not ripping anyone off.

"I don't think spending a few pounds is too much to ask to have something delivered half-way round the world.

"It's an MoD decision and we'll have to live by it."

The move piles further misery on Black Watch families.

Last week the Sunday Mirror revealed how British soldiers are being paid less during the war in Iraq than they get on routine manoeuvres in Europe.

The miserable pay is in marked contrast to US soldiers who are paid extra for being in the combat zone.

Our investigation found a private in the Scots regiment would be pounds 100-a-month better off if they were training abroad. A corporal would get pounds 122 more and an officer pounds 132.

Defence chiefs justified the decision by claiming the troops don't need extra money because they have nowhere to spend it.

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