HC Deb 20 November 1951 vol 494 cc189-90
1. Mr. F. A. Burden

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give an undertaking that the families of men killed in action will not be forced to vacate married quarters until they have been found alternative accommodation.

The Secretary of State for War (Mr. Antony Head)

I cannot give my hon. Friend this undertaking. The provision of housing for the families of deceased soldiers is the responsibility of the local authorities, who have been generally helpful in cases of this kind. Where difficulties are encountered, however, these families are allowed to remain in married quarters for a reasonable period.

Mr. Burden

Will my right hon. Friend give an undertaking that the Army welfare authorities will get in touch with the wives of men killed in action who are living in Army accommodation and arrange with the local authorities, to whose areas they wish to go, in the early days of their distress?

Mr. Head

I can assure my hon. Friend that that is being done, and that, in any case where great difficulty in finding alternative accommodation does confront people, a very liberal margin of time is allowed before these families are moved.

Sir Herbert Williams

Does not my right hon. Friend think that the Government should not act as the worst kind of tied landlord? Is it not monstrous that the wives of men who have been killed should be thrown out of their accommodation?

Mr. Head

If the War Office gave an undertaking that these families could remain indefinitely in these quarters, very great difficulty would be encountered. Up to date, I do not think that many hard cases have resulted, partly because of the co-operation of local authorities and partly because of the very liberal length of time allowed by the War Office before the families are moved out.