§ 25. Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has yet concluded his discussions with local authorities about the need to give priority in the provision of housing for ex-Service men; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ArmstrongI have sent to the hon. Member a copy of circular No. 54/75 recently issued by my Department and the Welsh Office.
§ Mr. RossI am grateful to the Minister for drawing my attention to Circular 54/75. Is he aware that local authorities still require residential occupation and the offer of a job to ex-Service men before they allocate housing to them or put them on housing lists? Is this not contrary to the circular, and is it not time that further action was required of local authorities to make sure that at times when many ex-Service men are coming out of the forces, and at a time of unemployment, they are allocated housing accommodation?
§ Mr. ArmstrongThis is a difficult matter. I appreciate the substance of the hon. Gentleman's remarks, but in areas with long waiting lists and many urgent cases it is for the authorities and not for us to decide the policy of allocating houses. We have drawn the attention of authorities to the plight of many Service men.
§ Mr. JesselWhat is the Minister doing to get local authorities to comply with the circular? Is it not unjust that Service men who have been serving their country abroad or in Northern Ireland are not able to qualify for a high-priority place on waiting lists in their home towns?
§ Mr. ArmstrongIt is unjust that many families with high priority for housing are still denied decent homes. It is not for us to instruct the authorities in these matters. I said that we have drawn their attention to the plight of many Service men. We are anxious to help, but it is a matter of matching resources to the needs which exist.