§ 27. Mr. Doddsasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the urgency of giving up premises in Gibraltar formerly used by the services to enable the earliest possible commencement to be made in providing houses for civilian use; and what action is being taken to cut out avoidable delay.
§ 28. Lieut.-Commander Maydonasked the Secretary of State for War what progress is being made at Gibraltar in vacating premises, until recently occupied by the Service Departments inside the town area, in order to provide additional space for civilian housing.
§ Mr. HeadThe Army is mainly concerned. One large site in the town area has already been vacated and sold for civil development. Other sites will shortly be offered for sale and the remainder sold as soon as the building of alternative accommodation has been completed.
§ Mr. DoddsDoes the right hon. Gentleman not realise that this is to do with the building of alternative accommodation? Does he not appreciate that there is a desperate shortage of housing in Gibraltar? It is one of the greatest needs of these intensely loyal people, who should be given every assistance to be able properly to settle down in that strategic part of the world.
§ Mr. HeadI am all in favour of it. We are trying to build alternative accommodation, but that has to be cleared by the Gibraltar Government.
§ Lieut.-Commander MaydonCan my right hon. Friend give some rough estimate of when the alternative barracks are likely to be completed?
§ Mr. HeadNegotiations have been going on between the Colonial Office and the Government of Gibraltar, and we cannot make a start until they are concluded.