HC Deb 01 August 1962 vol 664 c562
13. Mr. Hayman

asked the Minister of Defence what is his policy for co-ordination of expenditure by the three Service Departments on permanent buildings which may become redundant within a few years if the policies of Her Majesty's Government for progressive disarmament succeed.

Mr. Thorneycroft

The Services' building programmes are kept under constant review in relation to long-term needs. No useful purpose would be served by a special review at the present time in the light of discussions at the Geneva Disarmament Conference.

Mr. Hayman

Will the right hon. Gentleman take note of Question No. 20 on the Order Paper and the Answer which will be given to it, because there is a proposal to build a large number of houses for the Culdrose Airfield in the small Borough of Helston? As houses are an investment for a century, would it not be wise for them to be sited in places where they are likely to be absorbed by the civil population if we get disarmament within a reasonable period?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I will certainly have a look at that particular point. While I wish the disarmament conference every success, I do not think that we can look to it to solve all our housing problems in this way.