§ 51. Major Legge-Bourkeasked the Minister of Defence to what extent the capital expenditure reductions announced by the Government will affect the building of married quarters for each of the three Services.
§ Mr. AlexanderService married quarters form part of the national housing programme: the precise extent to which they will be affected by the recently announced reductions in the capital investment programme is at present under discussion.
§ Major Legge-BourkeCould the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that those married families who are having to live in accommodation for which they have to pay very high prices, will have the costs of such accommodation paid in future by the Forces who take over the accommodation concerned?
§ Mr. AlexanderThat does not really arise out of the Question as it is put, but, if the hon. and gallant Member will communicate his point to me, I will have it examined.
§ Earl WintertonWill the right hon. Gentleman give particular attention to this matter in view of the fact that, in the opinion of his own experts, one of the deterrents to recruiting is the state of married quarters today, which have had nothing done to them during the war and which are very inadequate; will he give an assurance that he will give his personal attention to this matter?
§ Mr. AlexanderThe Government are very anxious to do the best they can in this matter. The priorities that will come first are in the coalmining and the agricultural areas, but the Service Ministers are keeping in close touch with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health about the next priority after those two.