§ Mr. Alportasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the confusion and uncertainty at present surrounding the policy of his Department regarding the entitlement of officers and other ranks to be joined by their families while serving overseas; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HeadI think that under normal conditions regulations are clear and generally understood. Under cold war conditions a number of special problems arise and an unusual amount of family separation becomes unavoidable. Any Regular soldier serving overseas in a station to which families can go may, if qualified by age, be joined by his family at the public expense provided that the man is on a tour of one year or more, that his family may reasonably expect to be with him for at least nine months and that suitable accommodation is available. I well know that the last provision is generally the ruling factor, particularly in the Canal Zone under present circumstances. Where, however, there is a shortage of quarters and private accommodation is expensive a special allowance is given to those who find their own.