§ 7. Sir Richard Glynasked the Minister of Public Building and Works, what is the total number of married quarters under construction and being planned for the three services in Gibraltar.
§ Mr. RipponAt the 1st April, 230 married quarters were under construction in Gibraltar. A further 279 are planned and of these 240 should be started during this financial year. When all these quarters are completed the current requirement for married quarters in Gibraltar will have been met.
§ Sir Richard GlynIs my right hon. Friend aware that his answer will give very general satisfaction in the Services, particularly among the married families of those serving in Gibraltar? Can he confirm that when this programme is completed there will be little or no need for the use of private accommodation in Gibraltar by married families, which accommodation is hard to find and often rather unsuitable?
§ Mr. RipponHiring is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence. Some hirings are official, and I do not think that there will be a need for those. Some are private, and it may well be that some people may still want to make their own arrangements, even if they qualify for married quarters. This should ease the situation. I envisage that all quarters under construction should be completed by October this year, with the exception of about 16 which will be ready next year.