HC Deb 16 December 1959 vol 615 cc1434-5
33. Mr. Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for Air on what grounds Warrant Officer R. Davies was refused married quarters when he returned to this country from Singapore to conclude the last six months of his twenty-four years' service in the Royal Air Force.

The Under-Secretary of State for Air (Mr. W. J. Taylor)

Warrant Officer Davies could have been given a married quarter at the station to which he was posted only at the expense of someone else with a prior claim. He rejected accommodation elsewhere.

Mr. Brockway

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that hon. Members on both sides of the House will be disturbed that a man who has served twenty-four years and is brought back from overseas is not guaranteed any home for his family? Is he aware that his right hon. Friend has written to me saying that in cases of this kind, if men offer to remain overseas, they are entitled to a house and that Warrant Officer Davies made this offer? Is he also aware that the houses which he was offered were such a distance from where his children were at school and where he had the prospect of work that he could do no other than refuse them?

Mr. Taylor

In all three Services a Service man is not entitled to official married accommodation unless he is expected to spend at least six months at that station.

Mr. Brockway

After twenty-four years.

Mr. Taylor

I am advised that the Royal Air Force officers at Uxbridge had many interviews with Warrant Officer Davies in an effort to help him, and he was offered alternative accommodation.

Mr. Brockway

Twenty miles away.

Mr. Taylor

Warrant Officer Davies refused this accommodation, on the grounds that he wanted to be in the Slough area and did not want to disrupt his children's education by further moves. These grounds do not constitute a sufficiently strong compassionate case to justify waiving the rules and giving him a married quarter at Uxbridge over someone else's head.

Mr. Brockway

On a point of order. In view of the very unsatisfactory reply, I shall take an early opportunity to try to raise the matter on the Adjournment.