HC Deb 29 April 1959 vol 604 cc1258-9
21. and 22. Mr. Snow

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) what plans are envisaged for the improvement of the older married quarters at Whittington Barracks, Lichfield;

(2) what redecoration and cooking facilities are offered to each new occupant of the older married quarters at Whittington Barracks, Lichfield.

The Secretary of State for War (Mr. Christopher Soames)

New married quarters are planned for completion in about three years. In the meantime we cannot undertake major improvements to the old buildings, but they are redecorated at the normal intervals and also, if necessary, when new occupants move in. Solid fuel cooking ranges are fitted in the quarters and are repaired or replaced as needed.

Mr. Snow

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that answer will give little satisfaction to the unfortunate occupants of these older quarters? I recently looked into a case myself. A lady with two infants was supposed to cook on a single gas ring and her husband had to obtain an electric cooker and, in part, redecorate the accommodation himself, having spent £7 on paint out of his own pay. Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that among some of these barracks officers there is the feeling of "The colonel's lady and Judy O'Grady," and that their accommodation has fallen far short of what these ladies are entitled to?

Mr. Soames

I quite agree with the hon. Gentleman about the quality of the accommodation. We are building new quarters and those old ones will be condemned and pulled down. I hope that the new ones will be completed within three years. The hon. Gentleman will appreciate that meanwhile we cannot spend a great deal of money on existing quarters, but they are decorated at the same intervals of time as are others. If a quarter requires to be decorated a man can get the garrison engineer's signature to that effect. If he then decides to get on with the work and decorate the quarter himself he can get repayment of the money spent. If the hon. Gentleman knows of any instance to the contrary and will let me know about it, I will look into it.