HC Deb 20 November 1951 vol 494 c208
30. Mr. Burden

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will circularise local authorities with a view to ensuring that high priority is given to the housing needs of widows of Service men killed in action.

33. Mr. William A. Steward

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that members of the Regular Forces experience difficulty in obtaining council houses in view of the fact that they have to be residents of a borough for at least one year before qualifying for a housing application; and, in view of the difficulty of Regulars in meeting this need, if he will circularise local authorities with a view to remedying this hardship.

Mr. H. Macmillan

Local authorities have been asked to ensure that serving men's applications are considered on the basis of housing need, and are not prejudiced by the applicants' absence on service; they will, I am sure, give sympathetic consideration to the needs of widows.

Mr. Burden

Will my right hon. Friend give an undertaking that the particular attention of local authorities will be drawn to the difficulties experienced by the wives of Service men when they receive eviction orders from military accommodation as a result of the death of their husbands?

Mr. Macmillan

Yes. Sir. A circular has already gone out on this matter under my predecessors, but if there are any signs that it would be well to repeat it, I should be most happy to do so.

Mr. Steward

Does the Minister appreciate that at present the Service man is handicapped because he cannot put his name down on the housing list until he comes out of the Services?

Mr. Macmillan

That has been dealt with in this circular, but if there is any more that can be done I will try to do it.

Mr. Steward

Thank you very much.