§ 41. Captain P. MACDONALDasked the Secretary of State for War what number of British troops have been evacuated from the Rhineland occupation area to date; and when the evacuation will be completed?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. T. Shaw)The number of British troops evacuated from the Rhine up to 30th October was approximately 3,350. It is estimated that the evacuation will be completed by the middle of December.
§ 67. Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEasked the Secretary of State for War what provision was made for the accommodation of the wives and children of soldiers evacuated from the Rhineland occupation area; and whether such provision proved adequate or whether measures had to be taken to house families at some distance from the units in which the men were serving?
§ Mr. SHAWIn the case of battalions proceeding to stations other than Catterick the families on the married quarters roll will take over the accommodation set free by outgoing troops. At Catterick married quarters have been provided for 37 warrant officers and 598 married soldiers. This will accommodate all the families on the married quarters roll of the battalions returning from the Rhine, except some 17 families. Of these, 16 have been able to secure lodgings locally and will receive lodging allowance, and one has been provided with married quarters at the station of the regimental depot. Provision of quarters at the public expense is limited to those families who are on the married quarters roll, but in view of the special difficulties of finding accommodation at Catterick such assistance as is possible has been given to families not on the married quarters roll, by the maintenance of a register of available lodgings and by allowing certain temporary war hutting to be occupied by them.