HC Deb 03 July 1963 vol 680 cc365-7
19. Mr. Dempsey

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the dissatisfaction felt by the Cameronians in Minden, Germany, at the inadequacy of the housing accommodation for their wives and children; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this.

21. Mr. Barnett

asked the Secretary of State for War how many married men are serving with the British Army of the Rhine for whom married quarters are not provided.

22 and 23. Mr. Paget

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) how many Army wives and other dependants, respectively, are accommodated in married quarters in Germany; and how many Army wives and dependants are accommodated in Germany otherwise than in married quarters.

(2) if he will make a statement as to the system of priorities in allocation of married quarters in the British Army of the Rhine and as to the average waiting periods before married quarters can be obtained.

Mr. Godber

There are 15,246 Army families accommodated in married quarters—including hirings—in Germany. 5,053 married men serving in the British Army of the Rhine arenot provided with married quarters: of these 2,722 have their families with them in Germany in other accommodation.

Married quarters are allotted in the British Army of the Rhine as elsewhere under a system of points awarded for rank, service, previous separation, and the number of children up to a maximum of three.

Because of the variations caused by the points system it is virtually impossible to give an average waiting period for the allocation of quarters in the British Army of the Rhine.

As regards the 1st Cameronians, of the 148 soldiers in this battalion who have applied for married quarters, 131 have their families with them in Germany. I am hoping that more quarters will become available to the Cameronians in a few weeks' time.

Mr. Dempsey

Yes, but is the Secretary of State aware that I have interviewed several of these Cameronian soldiers and that they complained bitterly of the inadequacy of the housing accommodation? Indeed, there is an element of disgruntlement arising out of these conditions. I wonder whether the right hon. Gentleman could state how soon he intends to achieve the target of seeing that all the married families are adequately housed in this part of Germany.

Mr. Godber

I have given the figures about the Cameronians. I do not think they are too bad compared with the general picture. With regard to an assurance about solving the whole matter, I do not intend to give any assurance at this Dispatch Box until I am certain that I can carry it out. I should like time to look into this matter.

Mr. Barnett

Are we to assume that the estimate given by the Secretary of State's predecessor, that this problem would be solved by the end of 1964, is no longer effective? Will the right hon. Gentleman investigate the possibility of reviewing this points system perhaps to favour privates and N.C.O.s more, since many of them are seriously affected by the long time they have to wait?

Mr. Godber

I did not say that the assurance was not effective. I said I should like time to look at it. There have been problems which have arisen since the assurance was given, but it is my intention to do all I can to pay attention to proposals and suggestions made. I merely want time to look into them.

Mr. Dempsey

When the right hon. Gentleman considers the matter, will he try to make a statement or issue some information as to when, within reason, he hopes to solve the problem and ensure that the soldiers and their families are adequately housed? May we have some possible date?

Mr. Godber

Yes, Sir; but I should not like to give any specific undertaking as to a date at the moment. Obviously I should like time to go into it.