I was told that although the crews are in a hotel, some bright spark has declared field conditions and therefore no LOA (newspapers/internet not provided however etc etc). All meals are subject to stringent limits - all expenses on receipt only with no "carry over"
Is that quote intended to get a bite? Ok, I'll play!
There on operations for crying out loud, it's not designed to be a holiday. Allowances are intended to cover expenses incurred, not as a way for the recipients to make a few bob. If breakfast was missed, for whatever reason, then no expense was incurred, therefore no allowance entitlement. Surely?
You don't like the fact that field conditions are declared, yet you want the OPERATIONAL Allowance? Surely you can see the contradiction in that?
Nobody should have to supplement their meals from their own pocket, by the way and if that's genuinely the case, it needs to be addressed. Is it really insufficient, or is it a case of not liking that 'foreign muck'? Either way, that doesn't mean that the Op Allowance is necessarily the correct way to do it.