HC Deb 01 November 1937 vol 328 cc547-8
71. Sir Francis Fremantle

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the expenses of child-welfare centres at military stations at Home, including the maintenance of qualified nurses, are largely met by the efforts of officers and other ranks of the Army; whether it is the policy of the Army Council to encourage such welfare centres; for what reason the War Office has recently raised the rent of Government quarters occupied by the nurses, thereby increasing the expenses to be met; and whether this increase can be reduced?

Sir V. Warrender

Very considerable assistance is afforded to child welfare centres by the Army Council in the form of free accommodation, equipment and medical staff. The organisation which provides the nurses receives annual grants from both public and non-public funds at the disposal of the Army Council and local military authorities. A fair rent is charged for the nurses' quarters. I am not aware of any general increase in rents charged for such quarters, but if my hon. Friend will send me details of any particular case he has in mind, I will look into it.