§ 49. Mr. Norman Coleasked the Minister of Defence what permanent arrangements have been, or are being, made for the accommodation of the wives and families of Service personnel being evacuated from the Suez Canal Zone.
§ The Prime MinisterThe great majority of the Service families evacuated from the Suez Canal Zone have, I am glad to say, been able to arrange accommodation of their own choice on arrival in this country.
Those who have not been able to do so are being provided with temporary accommodation in Blackpool, which must, however, be released before the end of March, 1952. Any families who have not found permanent housing for themselves by that date will be accommodated in army hostels or permanent "Personnel Transit Centres," and the normal rules governing the length of stay at these places will be waived.
§ Mr. ColeIn thanking him for that answer. may I ask the Minister of Defence whether he is satisfied that the permanent accommodation to be supplied is to be both suitable and adequate for these people, who have been passing through unhappy circumstances, so that they may have some degree of comfort when they come back to this country?
§ The Prime MinisterI am sure the best possible arrangements will be made.