HC Deb 20 March 1945 vol 409 cc613-4
19. Mr. Henderson Stewart

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is now able to report on the complaints made regarding A.T.S. conditions in Egypt.

The Secretary of State for War (Sir James Grigg)

The complaints made in the letter of my hon. Friend forwarded to me have been investigated and I will, with permission, circulate a detailed answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Stewart

Were the allegations true or not?

Sir J. Grigg

Some were untrue, some were exaggerated and some were true.

Following is the answer:

The letter from the A.T.S. corporal stationed in Egypt contained the following main points:—

(1) The length of service overseas.

This question is now under consideration.

(2) Improved accommodation.

The barracks complained of were occupied until the outbreak of war by a British Guards Battalion and their married families. The barracks have been inspected and the space is considered to be perfectly adequate but owing to the great shortage of materials it has been so far impossible to redecorate them properly. There unfortunately have been and probably still are bugs in the barracks. A new method to exterminate them has recently been tried, but it is too early to say whether its apparent success will be permanent.

Hot water is short everywhere in Egypt and the temperature of the hot water supply in these barracks through- out the day is probably not as high as would be desirable in normal circumstances in cold weather. A lance-corporal is employed full-time to ensure that the native labour employed for keeping the ablutions clean does the work properly.

The A.T.S. camp referred to by my hon. Friend's correspondent was one of those recently inspected by the Adjutant-General accompanied by the General Officer Commanding, British Troops in Egypt. The camp is in every way up to standard, except that for a time there was insufficient hot water. The supply has been improved.

There is no evidence to show that the present arrangements for inspecting accommodation are inadequate. If auxiliaries have complaints they should make them to their commanding officer.

(3) Increase of leave ration allowance, and

(4) First Class travel facilities.

A.T.S. in parties of five or under all travel first class. If there are more than five they travel second class, but compartments are then specially reserved for them.

There are three leave camps, in Palestine, Beirut and Cairo, where board and lodging is entirely free. Since the summer of last year travel to these leave camps has also been free. Lack of money, therefore, should not prevent an auxiliary from taking the leave due to her. In addition there are numerous hostels run by the Y.W.C.A. and other philanthropic bodies in leave centres where auxiliaries are accommodated at very reasonable prices. The leave rate of ration allowance is based on the cost at local retail prices of a recognised scale of rations. The rate is adjusted every six months and I am not aware that it is inadequate for the purpose for which it is intended. It is clear from the above that the information forwarded to my hon. Friend by his correspondent is in some respects inaccurate and in others out-of-date. On the other hand there was foundation for some of her complaints. It is not clear, and it seems unlikely, that she first raised these questions in the proper way through her Commanding Officer.