HC Deb 16 December 1947 vol 445 cc1477-8
4. Mr. Janner

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he proposes to take in order to remove the serious hardships which members of the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Leicestershire Regiment are at present experiencing and in particular the lack of fuel and ban on space heating of the sleeping quarters of these men who have only recently returned from India.

27. Mr. Anthony Nutting

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the complaints by men of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Leicestershire Regiment, recently returned from India, and now stationed at Long Marston, near Stratford-on-Avon, regarding their present living conditions; and what action he is taking in the matter.

Mr. Shinwell

As I indicated in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Sedgefield (Mr. Leslie) last week; owing to the necessity to economise fuel the amount of heating allowed in Army quarters has unfortunately had to be severely restricted. As regards the particular unit referred to the position has now been improved by repairs to the living accommodation and a partial relaxation of the ban on heating of sleeping accommodation.

Mr. Janner

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the conditions in this camp, and that it has been described as a quagmire during the winter? Is he also aware that men who have come from India and who have been subjected to the living conditions at the camp have fainted; and will he do all he can to get the conditions put right?

Mr. Shinwell

The particulars which I have in my possession are that at a particular parade three men fell out owing to the cold; I am not aware that they actually fainted. The ban on the heating of the sleeping accommodation has been relaxed to provide for heating for at least 20 hours per week.

Mr. Nutting

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why it was necessary, before action was taken in this matter, for two Parliamentary Questions to be put by the hon. Member for West Leicester (Mr. Janner) and myself? Why has all this buck-passing been going on between the right hon. Gentleman's late Ministry and his present Ministry?

Mr. Shinwell

There was no buck-passing that I know of. The fact is that several weeks ago, as a result of my investigations in a particular Command, I directed attention to the paucity of heating of the sleeping accommodation, and they have endeavoured to put the matter right. We have, of course, to economise in the matter of fuel; but I am doing the best I can.