§ 17. Mr. Alportasked the Secretary of State for War whether he personally gave approval for the eviction of Mrs. P. E. Hill, and her child, from 6c Block, Abbey Fields, Colchester, on 12th July: and, in view of the serious housing situation locally, what attempt was made to provide temporary hostel accommodation for this family until it became possible for them to obtain a home from civilian sources.
§ Mr. StracheyYes, Sir. With regard to the second part of the Question, the housing of civilian families is a matter for the local authorities, who were approached on this case by the War 2015 Department on four separate occasions between 7th July, 1949, at the time when Mr. Hill was discharged from the Army, and 12th July, 1950, when we finally took possession of the quarter, in order that the family of a serving soldier might be accommodated.
§ Mr. AlportDoes the Minister realise that in Colchester, like other towns, it is absolutely impossible to get housing accommodation without going on the housing list, and that therefore there is no way in which an ex-soldier's family, evicted from military quarters, is able to get civilian accommodation? Would it not be possible for the War Office to arrange for some temporary hostel accommodation on War Office property until these people can be absorbed into civilian housing?
§ Mr. StracheyI think the hon. Member will recognise the necessity, after a full year's grace, of these quarters being used for the families of serving soldiers, and that families of ex-Service soldiers must leave them. From that point onward, it must be the responsibility of the local authority—although we draw the matter to their attention—to house ex-Service families.