HC Deb 10 November 1947 vol 444 cc26-7W
Mr. Charles Smith

asked the Secretary of State for War in how many centres in the United Kingdom War Department quarters for the accommodation of the families of other ranks are available; how many families are at present accommodated; and what is the aggregate waiting list for such quarters at the most convenient date.

Mr. Shinwell

There are 320 centres in the United Kingdom at which quarters are available for the accommodation of the families of Regular other ranks. Territorial Army quarters are not congregated in centres, but are located wherever Permanent Staff Instructors are required. Approximately 10,000 soldiers' families are accommodated in quarters. The immediate aggregate waiting list for quarters is approximately 3,500. It is, however, estimated that eventually there will be some 30,000 families who will require quarters.

Officers and men released and discharged since 18th June, 1945. Civilian employees discharged since 1st July, 1945.
1. 2. 3. 4.
Approximate number. Percentage of strength at 18th June, 1945. Approximate number. Percentage of actual strength at 1st July, 1945.
1st July, 1946 2,016,000 68 per cent. 26,000 19 per cent.
1st July, 1947 2,598,000 88 per cent. 39,000 27 per cent.
Estimate of position at 1st January, 1948. 2,803,000 95 per cent. * *
* It is not possible at present to give an accurate estimate. The approximate number of civilian employees discharged since 1st July, 1945, at 1st October, 1947, was 41,000, which represents 29 per cent. of the strength at 1st July, 1945. It should be noted that this figure and those in Column 3 represent actual and not authorised strengths. The actual strengths in each case were below the authorised strength. All the figures in the table represent gross numbers released and discharged, they do not take into account the fresh intake into the Army or any recruitment of civilian workers since June, 1945.

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