§ 160. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the continuing discontent among the troops in Cyprus with their living accommodation and food, particularly those who are living in tents; and what steps he has taken and intends to take to improve these matters.
§ Mr. SoamesDuring my recent visit to Cyprus I was impressed by the keenness and good spirits of the soldiers there. It would be wrong to suppose that there is any widespread discontent with living conditions. The need to use temporary camps during emergency operations is well understood in Cyprus.
It is our policy to provide permanent accommodation for the normal garrison of 86W the Island and a number of barracks, married quarters, schools, messes, clubs and other buildings have been completed at the main military centres. They have been supplemented by a good deal of new hutted accommodation. Some of the garrison and, in particular, the additional troops who are in Cyprus for the emergency, are housed in temporary camps where the messes, washrooms and cookhouses are in huts and the sleeping quarters are in tents on concrete foundations. Improvements made in these camps up to last year were explained in answer to the hon. Member for Stockton-on-Tees on 23rd July, 1958. In the autumn a further extensive programme of improvements was put forward and authority has been given for this to proceed.
As regards food, I have received no recent complaints An increase in rations for some forces was announced in my written answer of 5th November, 1958.