HC Deb 21 January 1947 vol 432 c26
42. Mr. Nield

asked the Secretary of State for War upon what basis charges are made for accommodation for officers' families in C.M.F.; and whether the rank of the officer is taken into account.

Mr. Bellenger

Officers' families in C.M.F. are provided with furnished accommodation in houses or flats, or are accommodated in hotels. If living in houses or flats they are allowed to purchase rations from Army sources; if living in hotels they are provided with cooked meals and service for which they pay charges varying according to the size of the family. The standard charges for accommodation, which are the same abroad as in the United Kingdom, were fixed, having regard to rentals in the United Kingdom and to the amount of marriage allowance which officers receive. It has not been possible in C.M.F. to provide officers with their normal standard of accommodation in all cases but this has been done as far as possible and the charges vary according to rank. Where the accommodation provided is inferior to accommodation which the officer and his family would normally occupy the charges have been suitably reduced.

Mr. Nield

Is it not the case that in G.H.Q., C.M.F. majors, captains and subalterns are charged the same amount, but that the senior ranks get better accommodation, and is that quite fair?

Mr. Bellenger

I could not answer off hand about those details.