HC Deb 12 April 1967 vol 744 cc1171-4
3. Mr. Marten

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what assistance he is proposing to give to local authorities to offset the extra cost involved to them in receiving in their areas the Servicemen and families being brought home from overseas.

The Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Army (Mr. James Boyden)

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer that I gave on 10th April to the hon. Lady the Member for Peters-field (Miss Quennell).—[Vol. 744, c. 136].

Mr. Marten

I saw that Answer, too. Nevertheless, is the Minister aware that a lot of preparatory work of a capital nature has to go in and be done by local authorities before the forces arrive? It is the loans which they have to raise to do this and the charges on them which will be a burden on the ratepayer. Ought not the Government to contribute to those loan charges?

Mr. Boyden

The local commanders are in close touch with the local authorities, and the military authorities make a big contribution to the rates, anyhow. The spending power which results from families being in an area is good for a local authority. However, if the hon Gentleman has any specific difficulty about which he knows, I will be glad to look at it.

9. Mr. Atkins

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what progress he has made in the acquisition of the 4,000 extra married quarters he needs to house the families of troops which may be brought home from Germany.

Mr. Boyden

All necessary preparations are being made for purchase of houses to meet this need should it arise.

Mr. Atkins

On what number of Service men being withdrawn from Germany did the hon. Gentleman base this figure of 4,000 married quarters?

Mr. Boyden

A suitable number.

Mr. Kershaw

Will the Minister give as assurance that the troops will not he brought back until the accommodation is ready for them?

Mr. Boyden

Yes.

Mr. Powell

Will the Under Secretary recognise the unwisdom of insulting the House with the kind of reply which he has just given to my hon. Friend the Member for Merton and Morden (Mr. Atkins)? When the Government state that they have ascertained the requirement for married quarters and announce that requirement, they must rationally have some basis in the number of troops for that figure, and it is legitimate to ask for it and legitimate to be told.

Mr. Boyden

The present programme of purchasing married quarters in the open market is going very well, and we have every reason to suspect that when decisions are taken about the return from Germany, we shall be able to continue in the same way. I must say that co-operation with private builders in this respect is very good indeed.

10. Mr. Atkins

asked the Secretary of State for Defence which barracks he is now preparing for the use of any troops brought home from Germany; by what dates each will be ready; and how many troops each will accommodate.

Mr. Boyden

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer that my right hon. Friend gave to the right hon. Member for Wolverhampton, South-West (Mr. Powell) on 16th March.—[Vol. 743, c. 149.]

Mr. Atkins

Does the hon. Gentleman not recognise the difficulty with which we on this side of the House are faced because of so many conflicting statements from the benches opposite? Can he now assure us that the information given in the Answer to which he has referred is the fixed and final information?

Mr. Boyden

Of course, the information is not fixed and final. The situation is changing from time to time, and the arrangements being made for both barracks and married quarters take that into account. They are proceeding very well.

Mr. Kershaw

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that that is a most unsatisfactory reply? We have already had two lists which have been altered from time to time. The first obviously was thought up on the spur of the moment. For him to say now that the position is still not firm must leave a great many doubts in the minds of Servicemen and the public.

Mr. Boyden

Nothing of the sort. Negotiations with our allies are continuing and, until they are settled, the facts will not be absolutely definite. The contingency planning is going well and we take great trouble with that.

Mr. Atkins

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.

24. Mr. Chichester-Clark

asked the Secretary of State for Defence where he now proposes to house the 25,000 men due to come home this year.

Mr. Boyden

Camps have been, or are being, re-activated in the following areas: Barton Stacey, Winchester, Maresfield, Lingfield, Tonfanau, Taunton. Inverness, Weeton, Longmoor, Worcester and Plymouth.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

All other things being equal, would not the hon. Gentleman give rather more consideration to housing some of these troops in barracks in some of the economically weaker areas of the country where they would give welcome civilian employment and more spending power?

Mr. Boyden

If the hon. Gentleman is referring to Northern Ireland, we have considered the situation there. Unfortunately, in view of the rôles of the units which are likely to be withdrawn, there is no adequate accommodation there.

Mr. Kershaw

Do not the hon. Gentleman's replies to this and to the Question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Winchester (Rear-Admiral Morgan Giles) indicate that it is the Government's policy—in line with their military planning—to cut the troops according to the barracks available?

Mr. Boyden

No, Sir.