§ 1. Mr. Dempseyasked the Secretary of State for War how many Service men are still waiting for houses in Aden; what is the longest waiting period a Service man has had; and when he expects to meet the housing demand in full.
§ The Secretary of State for War (Mr. John Profumo)One hundred and seventy officers and 645 other ranks of the Army are living with their families in official accommodation in Aden. Thirty officers and 104 other ranks have their families with them in private accommodation. Sixteen officers and 152 other ranks who are entitled to official married accommodation are separated from their families and are waiting for quarters. Some soldiers with limited service or who are only recently married may be unaccompanied by their families throughout their tour of two years. We expect to meet the present requirement for married quarters by the beginning of 1965.
§ Mr. DempseyIs not this an unsatisfactory state of affairs? Does not the Minister realise that an Airdrie woman was denied major hospital treatment in Aden simply because her soldier husband did not have a home for the small family? Does not the Minister think it would be realistic if, in a situation of this nature, he sent married soldiers home until such time as the Army can accommodate their families in Aden?
Mr. ProfitingI do not think that this situation is as unsatisfactory as the hon. Gentleman makes out. We are building as fast as we can. The fact is that 93 per cent. of entitled officers and 75 per cent. of entitled other ranks have their families with them in Aden. I do not think that this is a bad effort when one remembers that the entitlement to married quarters is greater than ever before.
§ Mr. DugdaleIs it not correct that Servicemen in the Air Force are very much better treated and have very much bettor conditions than Army Service men?
§ Mr. ProfumoI do not think that that would be the case in Aden at any rate, because the R.A.F. look after our people and are building for themselves as well as for us.