§ 14. Wing-Commander JAMESasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the number of officers' married quarters that would be required in the United Kingdom, exclusive of the London area; to provide for entitled officers upon the authorised scale, and the estimated cost thereof?
§ Sir P. SASSOONAs a rough approximation, 150 such quarters would be required at an estimated cost of £300,000.
§ 15. Wing-Commander JAMESasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what action is contemplated to alleviate the hardship upon entitled married officers of the Royal Air Force posted to stations where official quarters are not provided and where alternative accommodation is not available at reasonable cost or distance?
§ Sir P. SASSOONI cannot accept my hon. and gallant Friend's inference of undue hardship. As he is no doubt aware, the policy is to provide accommodation for only a percentage of the normal strength of married officers, while the remainder receive a cash allowance in lieu of this provision. I can assure him, however, that full provision of the authorised scale of accommodation will be made as funds become available. I may add that, so far as is administratively possible, unmarried officers are selected for posting to stations where 1458 official married quarters are not available and where there may be difficulties in connection with alternative accommodation.
§ 16. Wing-Commander JAMESasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what expenditure is proposed during the current year for the provision of new married quarters for Royal Air Force officers in the United Kingdom; and what proportion of the total capital expenditure upon buildings that represents?
§ Sir P. SASSOONThe answer to the first part of the question is £33,500; as regards the second part, this amount represents approximately 4 per cent. of the total capital expenditure on new buildings.