§ 42. Mr. Croninasked the Minister of State for Defence what is the approximate average waiting time for quarters in the British Army of the Rhine.
§ Mr. Ian GilmourThe waiting time for married accommodation varies a good deal according to individual circumstances and to garrison locations. If the hon. Gentleman has a particular case in mind I should be glad to look into it for him.
§ Mr. CroninWill the hon. Gentleman try to improve on the situation regarding the waiting time for quarters, because it is, one understands, a source of considerable dissatisfaction in B.A.O.R. according to what was heard by a parliamentary 222 delegation which visited there earlier this year?
§ Mr. GilmourIt is true that there is a good deal of concern, which I, too, have met, but there is already in hand the acquisition of approximately 1,600 additional quarters. About 130 have been completed and are being occupied. Plans for a further batch of quarters are now being worked on.
§ 43. Mr. Croninasked the Minister of State for Defence if he is aware that medical services for the British Army of the Rhine are inadequate for operational purposes; and what plans he has to deal with the matter in the event of a serious emergency affecting the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
§ Mr. Ian GilmourIn the event of a serious emergency affecting the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, the British Army of the Rhine would be reinforced from the United Kingdom. As the hon. Gentleman will appreciate, it is not Government policy to divulge the details of such plans.
§ Mr. CroninWill the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that there is still reason to believe that the medical services would be inadequate for an emergency and also that it is particularly demoralising for any body of armed troops to find themselves in a situation in which their casualties are inadequately dealt with?
§ Mr. GilmourOf course I agree with the second part of that Question, and plans are continually reviewed to take account of the changing situation.