40. Brigadier Clarkeasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what action he proposes to take to implement the recommendations of the Select Committee with regard to assistance for Service personnel in obtaining housing accommodation through the local authorities on their release from the Services.
§ Mr. SandysBefore deciding what action should be taken, I must wait for 210 the report of the Housing Management Sub-Committee, which may have an important bearing on this matter.
Brigadier ClarkeDoes my right hon. Friend appreciate the difficulties experienced by ex-Service men coming home from abroad in obtaining a house? Will he do everything he can to help them?
§ Mr. SandysI understand that the main problem—it is a serious one—is that some local authorities insist on a residential qualification and that these men coming back from long service in the Army do not have that qualification. Local authorities have been urged to drop the qualification in these cases. The response has been quite good from a large number of local authorities, but I shall do what I can to see that the matter is brought to the attention of those who have not dropped the qualification.