§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the armed forces are at present in receipt of (a) housing benefit and (b) free school meals for their children.
§ Mr. StanleyThe service rent and rates rebate scheme, which is analogous to local authority housing benefit, is available to eligible personnel living in service married quarters or official hirings. Currently some 1,450 personnel are claiming rebates under this scheme. The Ministry of Defence holds no information on personnel accommodated other than in married quarters or official hirings and claiming housing benefit through their local authority scheme.
Information on the provision of free meals to children attending service schools is not held centrally, but the number is not thought to be great. The Ministry of Defence holds no information on the provision of free meals to those children of personnel who attend local education authority or other non-service schools and who represent the great majority.