HC Deb 09 March 1964 vol 691 cc103-4

Motion made, and Question proposed, That a sum, not exceeding £1,000, be granted to Her Majesty, to defray the expense of certain additional married quarters, which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March 1965.

Mr. Wingfield Digby

The question of married quarters is important, and it has become increasingly important since the war. In this Vote we are referred back to pages 120 and 121, where we can see how the money is being spent. I note that the new works on married quarters to be started next year will amount to only about £250,000. This is a considerable reduction in the married quarters programme.

The Armed Forces (Housing Loans) Acts have been a great boon to the Services in bringing about up-to-date married quarters. The last was passed in, I think, 1958. Presumably, therefore, we are not running out of money. In these circumstances, it is surprising to find that only £250,000 worth of new works are being undertaken, of which £94,000 will be expended in the next year. This appears to be a very sub- stantial reduction in the married quarters programme. It seems to conflict with my recollection of the Statement on Defence which placed some emphasis on the provision of more married quarters. I should be grateful if my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State could explain the discrepancy to me.

6.45 p.m.

Mr. Kirk

My hon. Friend will know that the second Armed Forces (Housing Loans) Act, the 1958 one, runs out next year. We have not yet decided whether to renew it. It has been agreed that a three-year programme covering £47½ million will start this year to take up where the Act leaves off. It is hoped that this will bring up the total number of married quarters to a figure adequate for the Army's purposes.

Dr. Alan Glyn

Does this apply only to the loans or to all the quarters?

Mr. Kirk

Does what apply?

Dr. Glyn

Vote 11.

Mr. Kirk

Vote 11 is largely a token vote which is largely set off by appropriations in aid. The major sum for married quarters falls on the Ministry of Public Building and Works Vote.

Dr. Glyn

May I remind my hon. Friend about the point which we raised earlier, namely, the possibility of persuading local authorities to put ex-Service people on the housing list? Could pressure be put on authorities which receive a subsidy from the Government to make them accept ex-Service men on the housing lists? Perhaps my hon. Friend will consider this point.

Mr. Kirk

As I said last Thursday, I will look into this matter again. I realise the difficulties of local authorities.

Resolved, That a sum, not exceeding £1,000, be granted to Her Majesty, to defray the expense of certain additional married quarters, which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1965.