HC Deb 26 June 1963 vol 679 cc1326-7
25. Miss Vickers

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty what arrangements are made for the accommodation and education of the families of Her Majesty's Royal Navy at the naval base at Bahrain.

Mr. Hay

Apart from the commanding officer's official residence and 12 married quarters for ratings, all the accommodation for Naval families in Bahrain is hired, either under Service arrangements administered by the Royal Air Force, or privately.

Education is provided for children of all ages in the Royal Air Force school at Muharraq.

Miss Vickers

Why have men been encouraged to go from Aden to Bahrain on the condition that, if they go there, they can take their families? When they have found accommodation at fantastic prices they then find, despite the fact that their wives have got rid of their houses in England, have had the children inoculated, and so on, that they are unable to get their families to join them.

Mr. Hay

I was not aware of the point made by my hon. Friend in the first part of her supplementary question. If that is so, it would certainly need looking at, and perhaps she would allow me to do so.