§ 15. Mr. Kenneth Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the difference in housing costs resulting from bringing home those members of the services previously serving overseas.
§ Mr. HattersleyMembers of the Services returning from overseas will be housed in existing barracks and married quarters.
§ Mr. LewisThe Minister will be aware that a great deal of rebuilding is going on for the Services. In view of the needs of the civil population and the high cost of housing, will he take into consideration that the cost of rehousing people brought here from abroad may in many cases be more than if they were kept in the places from which they are to come?
§ Mr. HattersleyThe hon. Member's conclusion is absolutely wrong. On reflection he will see that since the number 407 coming from abroad is less than the rundown of the forces, their return from overseas stations will not cause any net increase in the building programme. The building programme to which he referred is a general building programme which goes on irrespective of that decision.