§ 37. Brigadier Headasked the Secretary of State for War the number of married quarters available in the United Kingdom for officers and other ranks of the Army, respectively; the number of such married quarters at present unoccupied awaiting repair; the number of married quarters at present under construction; and the number of officers and men whose names are at present on a waiting list for married quarters.
§ Mr. ShinwellOn 1st November there were 1,559 married officers' quarters and 14,551 married soldiers' quarters in the United Kingdom. Of these, 55 married officers' quarters and 704 married soldiers' quarters were vacant awaiting repair. A further 44 married officers' quarters and 586 married soldiers' quarters were under construction, and in addition 488 huts were being converted into temporary married quarters. One thousand two hundred and thirty-three officers and 3,507 soldiers had their names on waiting lists for married quarters. These figures refer to War Department married quarters only and exclude any quarters provided for Regulars serving with the Territorial Army.
§ Brigadier HeadAs the situation in this respect is far from satisfactory and as Army personnel cannot be very vocal in registering their protests, will the Secretary of State bear in mind the extra responsibility which devolves upon him to use all his natural vocal talent in putting the matter before the Cabinet and the Minister of Health so as to improve the position?
§ Mr. ShinwellI am fully aware of the difficulties and I have made representations in the proper quarter, but we are 262 confronted by very serious physical difficulties in respect of materials and labour.
§ Mr. ChetwyndIs it not a fact that the bulk of the houses now awaiting repair were built during the Crimean War and that they would not be much use at the present time without a great expenditure of money?
§ Mr. ShinwellSome may have been built during the Crimean War, but I think some are late Victorian.