HC Deb 27 February 1963 vol 672 cc1238-9
14. Mr. G. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will abandon his attempts to evict the Cardiff family about whom the hon. Member for Cardiff, West, wrote to him on 2nd February, 1963; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. H. Fraser

The airman concerned was warned last April that his family could not remain in their present accommodation when he went to Sharjah. He was told they could move to a surplus married quarter elsewhere and this offer is still open. Formal notice to quit was served shortly after he was posted in July and as several offers of alternative accommodation were not accepted a court order for eviction was obtained this month. As there is a waiting list for married quarters at St. Athan, I would not be justified in abandoning the eviction proceedings.

Mr. Thomas

Is the Minister aware that I regard the letter which he sent to me about this case as particularly callous in view of the fact that he considers that men who have served in the R.A.F. must take the risk that when their children are going to take the school certificate examination they might be shifted about overnight? As this family are paying the full economic rent of over £5 a week, and four children are involved, may I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is likely to put them out on the street if he goes ahead with the order? Since even bad landlords do not behave like this, may I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will give this young lad a chance to take his school certificate examination this year in the school which he has been attending?

Mr. Fraser

I hope that I have not been unsympathetic about this case. The fact is that Service personnel have to move about the country and about the world. This is inevitable. Their families have to move when they move so that their accommodation can be occupied by other families. We have a waiting list of 250 at St. Athan, and I am afraid that I cannot give the case of an individual family priority over the rest of the Service. I am sorry about this.

Mr. Thomas

If this family refuses to go to Cheshire, where there is the alternative accommodation, does the right hon. Gentleman intend to put the mother and four children out on the street? Will he answer that question?

Mr. Fraser

I feel unable to abandon these proceedings.

15. Mr. G. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Air what is the number of married quarters his Department has at the disposal of Royal Air Force personnel in South Wales.

Mr. H. Fraser

Six hundred and seventy-nine, including hirings.

Mr. Thomas

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how many of these are empty at present or how many have been empty for any given period?

Mr. Fraser

No, Sir. We have a waiting list of 250 at the moment. We are planning to build another 143 married quarters in the area.

Mr. Thomas

On a point of order. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply given to Question No. 14, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.

Mr. Speaker

It is too late to give notice with respect to that Question but giving notice now does not affect it one way or the other.