§ 10. Mr. Tinkerasked the Secretary of State for Air the billeting allowances for those who are billeted in private houses, and whether this is uniform throughout the country?
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Air (Captain Harold Balfour)The rates of billeting allowances for airmen were set out in full in the reply given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for New Forest and Christchurch (Major Mills) on 18th March last, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. The rates for officers, which cover accommodation only, are 3s. a night for the first officer and 2s. a night for each additional officer. All rates are uniform throughout the country.
§ Mr. TinkerIs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that I am having complaints from the part of Lancashire from which I come that the rates are not uniform—that they are higher in Blackpool than in other parts? Will he examine the question, because I believe the rates are rather too low at the present time and that there ought to be some revision?
§ Captain BalfourI am glad the hon. Member has drawn my attention to this particular point regarding Blackpool. I will inform him of the details of that aspect of the question. The rates are settled for the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, and therefore this is an inter-Services matter.
§ Mr. TinkerI meant all the Services. I put this Question to the right hon. and gallant Gentleman because of the case which came to my notice.
§ Sir H. WilliamsDo not most of the inhabitants of Lancashire pay more for accommodation in Blackpool than they do in Leigh?