§ 60. Major Tufton Beamishasked the Minister of Defence in which overseas theatres it is intended to start building the 2,000 quarters, forecast in the Statement on Defence, 1950, for the year 1950–51, showing temporary and permanent quarters separately.
§ Mr. ShinwellFinal approval has not yet been given in all cases, but the num- 400 bers at present planned are as follows: Mediterranean and Middle East area, 200 permanent and 470 temporary; Far East, 1,200 permanent and 35 temporary; Other overseas areas, 30 permanent and two temporary.
§ Major BeamishIs the Minister aware that to start building 2,000 quarters in this period is only nibbling at the problem? Will he say how many of these quarters it is planned to finish in the next 12 months?
§ Mr. ShinwellI cannot reply to the latter part of the supplementary question without further notice; if the hon. and gallant Gentleman will put down a Question I will try to furnish a reply. I cannot accept the earlier part of his supplementary question. I cannot agree that this is "nibbling at the problem." It is related to the requirements of these areas.
§ Earl WintertonWould the right hon. Gentleman say how many of these houses are the result of the Armed Forces (Housing Loans) Act which he brought forward, and which was supported by us on this side of the House, with opposition from his hon. Friends; and how many are merely the result of ordinary re-housing.
§ Mr. ShinwellNone of the married quarters intended to be built and completed overseas are related to that Act at all.