HC Deb 07 December 1949 vol 470 cc1881-2
51. Mr. Paget

asked the Minister of Defence if he will make a statement with regard to wives and families joining their husbands in Hong Kong.

Mr. Alexander

There are already some 450 Service families in Hong Kong. My hon. and learned Friend will appreciate that the Colony is in a very congested condition and that for this and other reasons no very considerable increase in this number can be contemplated. In the light of the special conditions in Hong Kong we have until now felt it wise to confine the provision of passages to families where the serving man was on the strength of the permanent garrison. We have now, however, decided that in future the families of reinforcements will be permitted to proceed to Hong Kong as shipping and accommodation allow. They will thus be on exactly the same footing in this matter as those of the permanent garrison.

Mr. Paget

Is it possible to provide them with some information as to when they will actually go? It is so inconvenient for them when they cannot make any plans.

Mr. Alexander

It is also very difficult for the military authorities to make plans. In these matters the best kind of justice is usually exercised by the commanding officers in such theatres. They keep under review a system which is related not merely to the tour of duty in that particular foreign station but to how long a man's foreign tour has been away from his family. They try to grade the arrangements in order to give as much justice as possible.

Mr. Paget

Will the War Office do the best they can to try to work out when these various ladies will be going and let them know so that they can make arrangements? Can they be told that they will be going within a year or whatever the period may be?

Mr. Alexander

I will certainly ask the Secretaries of State concerned to see that as long notice as possible is given if and when accommodation and shipping are available.

Mr. Gammans

What does the right hon. Gentleman mean by the phrase "when accommodation is available "? Does it mean that special quarters are to be built? The right hon. Gentleman must realise that Hong Kong is very full already.

Mr. Alexander

That is what I have indicated in my answer. Perhaps the hon. Member will study the answer I first gave.

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