§ 29. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Minister of Public Building and Works what proportion of the resources of the building industry was engaged in the construction or reconstruction of Service accommodation for military personnel returning from overseas during 1966–67; and what estimate he has formed of the resources to be so engaged during the next 12 months.
§ Mr. MellishThe actual sums spent by my Department in the financial year 1966–67 on the construction and reconstruction of this accommodation was about £150,000. The comparable forecast expenditure for the year 1967–68 is about £2.7 million. These figures represent a very small fraction of the output of the construction industry which exceeds £4,000 million a year.
§ Mr. DigbyIs the right hon. Gentleman sure that there will be sufficient accommodation for these returning Servicemen who deserve well of their country?
§ Mr. MellishI agree that Servicemen deserve well of their country. I should like to point out that I played my personal part when at the Ministry of Housing and Local Government in buying private accommodation because I thought that only the best was suitable for them. Her Majesty's Government are doing and have done a first-class job in this respect.
§ Miss Harvie AndersonWhat proportion of the building will accommodate what proportion of the married men returning from overseas?
§ Mr. MellishThis building is for married quarters almost in its entirety.