§ 3.4 p.m.
§ LORD BRAYEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in view of the severe climatic conditions, the length of service in Singapore could be reduced to two years instead of two and a half years for members of Her Majesty's Forces to whom this applies.]
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (LORD CARRINGTON)My Lords, the change suggested by the noble Lord would involve more frequent movements of men and their families, and would be more expensive in both money and manpower. There is no evidence to suggest that the climate of Singapore has an adverse effect on those serving there for two and a half years and Her Majesty's Government do not consider it necessary to make this change.
§ LORD MERRIVALEMy Lords, would my noble friend not agree that, so far as the Royal Air Force are concerned, there are strong grounds for keeping the tour of duty in Singapore in line with that in Aden, which is two years? Also, would he not agree that the same medical reasons which apply to Aden apply to Singapore?
§ LORD CARRINGTONMy Lords, I really should not have thought that the climate of Singapore was so bad as my noble friend tries to suggest. After all, there is a large number of people who live in Singapore all their lives.
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, as one who has lived in Singapore for over ten years, may I agree thoroughly with the 1028 noble Lord, Lord Carrington? It is not so much the climate that is the concern of those who have a period of service in Singapore; it is the question of housing accommodation, particularly for married men and their families. Perhaps when we have the next Defence debate or Army debate the noble Lord could give us some more details of what progress has been made in the provision of married accommodation for all Service men stationed in Singapore.
§ LORD CARRINGTONYes, my Lords, I will try to do that. I agree with the noble Lord that housing has a great deal to do with it.
§ LORD MERRIVALEMy Lords, would my noble friend say why it is felt that the period of service should be maintained at two years for Aden?. Why is it not two and a half years there?
§ LORD CARRINGTONMy Lords, it is because the climate is worse in Aden.
§ BARONESS WOOTTON OF ABINGERMy Lords, in view of recent climatic conditions in this country, will the noble Lord consider whether the period of service in this country should not be reduced in preference to that in Singapore?
§ LORD CARRINGTONMy Lords, I only wish that the noble Lady had been in the House when we were taking the Committee stage on the Army Reserve Bill. She might have had a good stand-up fight with her noble friend in front of her.