HC Deb 13 February 1967 vol 741 cc33-4W
Mr. Kershaw

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what additional barrack and married quarters accommodation is required to rehouse the troops returning from the Far East and elsewhere; and where and when such accommodation will be built.

Mr. Reynolds

Arrangements are in hand to accommodate single personnel either in existing barracks and camps or in new barracks already in the building programme which will be rehabilitated or extended, as the case may be. The accommodation will be at the main naval ports and at Army and R.A.F. establishments already in use or previously in a state of care and maintenance. The plans provide for all essential services to have been completed before units arrive at their new stations. 3,300 additional permanent married quarters are being built, and 3,700 houses purchased to meet immediate needs.

Mr. Goodhew

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many men and families returning from overseas stations will still be in temporary accommodation at the end of 1967.

Sir Ian Orr-Ewing

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Service men and Service families will be accommodated in 1967 in temporary accommodation in the United Kingdom as a result of withdrawal from or reductions in the Far East, Aden, Simonstown, Malta and Cyprus.

Mr. Reynolds

On Servicemen I would refer the hon. Gentleman to my Answer of today to the hon. Member for Stroud (Mr. Kershaw) and on families to my Answer of 18th January to the hon. Lady the Member for Plymouth, Devonport (Dame Joan Vickers) and to the hon. Member for Surbiton (Mr. Fisher)—[Vol. 739, c.414]. I cannot yet forecast the number of families who may have to be accommodated in mobile homes or hostels: this will depend on a number of factors still undecided; for example, the pace of withdrawals, the rate of completion of married quarters, the number of houses purchased or rented.

Mr. Goodhew

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what accommodation has been earmarked for Service men and their families returning from overseas stations during 1967; and how many men and families will thus be housed in permanent buildings, in caravans and under canvas, respectively.

Mr. Reynolds

On single accommodation I would refer the hon. Gentleman to my Answer today to the hon. Member for Stroud (Mr. Kershaw). On married quarters, we plan to accommodate all entitled families, in married quarters as they are available, in hirings, in houses purchased especially for this purpose or in mobile houses where these are not available.