HC Deb 02 June 1965 vol 713 cc1704-5
19. Mr. John Hall

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will introduce a housing loan scheme for the Army and Royal Air Force on similar lines to the scheme to be introduced for the Royal Navy.

Mr. Mayhew

Not at present.

Mr. Hall

Having searched vaguely in my mind for a suitable alternative phrase, may I ask whether the Minister is aware that his Answer will be received with very great disappointment? Can he say why a scheme which offers to the Navy loans on favourable terms to leading seamen and above, should not apply equally to both the Army and the Royal Air Force?

Mr. Mayhew

There is more family separation and moving about in the Navy than in the Army and Royal Air Force, and I therefore think that we have a special interest in trying to get a stable family base for our wives and families—an even greater interest than the other Services. But it is always open to the Army or the R.A.F. to apply for schemes.

Mr. Hall

I understand that it is intended that this scheme should also apply to the Civil Service. Is the hon. Gentleman suggesting that the Civil Service has greater need for this kind of facility than either the Army or the Royal Air Force?

Mr. Mayhew

I cannot speak for the Civil Service; I only repeat that the Army and the Royal Air Force can put in for a scheme if they wish.

Mr. Shinwell

Was not a £40 million housing loan scheme promoted by the Labour Government in 1947, and why has it been suspended?

Mr. Mayhew

This is a different scheme. This will enable a naval rating to bridge the gap between a building society loan and the cost of his house against his terminal grant. I do not think that there has been a scheme like this before, and we wish it success.