§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for War if he will institute an inquiry into the conditions prevailing in the reception centres, hostels, and private hotels run by his Department temporarily to cater for new Service men and their families in this country before they are allocated Service housing accommodation.
§ Mr. ProfumoMilitary families hostels in the United Kingdom are intended to provide temporary accommodation for families in transit from one quarter to another. I am at present reviewing the requirement for hostels in the United Kingdom. I am fully informed of all aspects of their administration, so that an inquiry would serve no useful purpose.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for War if he will make inquiries of the various regiments to find out how many Service men have been granted compassionate discharge because of the lack of suitable Service accommodation for their families in this country.
§ Mr. ProfumoSuch soldiers who wish to leave the Army because they have family commitments which they cannot reconcile with a Service life may be influenced by their failure to secure married quarters, but in my experience this is rarely their main reason.
I am fully aware of the need for married accommodation, and additional quarters are being built as fast as possible. I do not believe, therefore, that it would be useful to make the inquiry suggested by the hon. Gentleman.