§ 34. Mr. Keelingasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that men discharged from the Fighting Services for wounds or ill-health, are sometimes unable to get accommodation in their own districts, even if their old employers will re-employ them; and whether he will arrange that houses, kept empty by the local authority for persons who may hereafter be bombed out by the enemy, shall be available for such ex-service men until other accommodation can be found for them?
§ The Minister of Health (Mr. Ernest Brown)I have no reason to think that the difficulty described by my hon. Friend is a general one, although I shall be happy to investigate any particular cases if he will send me details. The amount of accommodation held in reserve is under constant review, but he will appreciate the necessity of ensuring that, should heavy raids recur, homeless persons can be rapidly re-housed.
§ Mr. KeelingDoes my right hon. Friend realise that this grievance of the ex-service men, which is a very serious one, is bound to grow as further casualties occur; and will he himself ask local authorities to report on this matter?
§ Mr. BrownI do not think there is any need for that. The question of accommodation is one of the major matters which are before me every week.