HC Deb 21 November 1966 vol 736 cc915-6
7. Mr. Wingfield Digby

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works how many married quarters were completed for the Services in the last year, to the nearest convenient date; and what was the comparable figure for two years ago.

Mr. Boyden

3,668 quarters were completed in the United Kingdom in the year ended 31st March, 1966, compared with 2,747 in the year ended 31st March, 1964.

Mr. Digby

I am glad to hear that there has been an increase. Again, will this be sufficient to cope with the influx of Service men and their families? How is it intended to cope with them? Is it intended to cope with them by more furnished hirings, or what?

Mr. Boyden

The amount of hiring for the Services is increasing. But this is a very difficult problem; the Government have it very much in the forefront of their mind.

25 and 26. Sir Richard Glyn

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works (1) how many married quarters for the Services were completed in Great Britain in the 12 months to the last convenient date; and how many were completed overseas during the same period;

(2) what was the total cost of the married quarters completed for the Services in Great Britain from October, 1964, to the last convenient date; and what was the cost of those completed for the Services overseas.

Mr. Boyden

Three thousand, five hundred and twenty-nine quarters were completed in Great Britain and 368 overseas in the year ended 31st March, 1966.

During the period 1st October, 1964, to 31st March, 1966, the expenditure on new married quarters was £21.4 million in Great Britain and £2 million overseas. The total cost of the quarters actually completed in this period is not readily available.

Sir Richard Glyn

Is it not very unfortunate that the number of quarters built overseas should be more than ten times the number of quarters built in this country, especially as there is a great shortage of married quarters in this country, and especially in view of the Government's declared intention to bring the Army home?

Mr. Boyden

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman misunderstood me, or I made a mistake in words. It was 3,529 that had been completed in Great Britain and 368 that had been completed overseas. I am sorry if I made a slip of the tongue.

Mr. Wingfield Digby

Will the Parliamentary Secretary say how many are under construction at home at the present time?

Mr. Boyden

Four thousand, five hundred.