§ 88. Colonel Gomme-Duncanasked the Secretary of State for War whether the points system for allocation of married quarters in Hong Kong is yet in operation; and how many officers and other ranks respectively are still awaiting married quarters at that station.
§ Mr. StracheyAll oversea Commands have for several years operated points systems for married quarters, which, although based on certain common principles, vary in detail between Commands. The Commander-in-Chief, Far East Land Forces, recently submitted a revised scheme which constituted a departure in certain respects from the common principles previously laid down. Following consideration of this, a new scheme was drawn up by the War Office which has been notified to all Commands and which, provided Commands agree, will be 179W brought into operation in due course. I have called for the information requested in the last part of the Question and will write to the hon. and gallant Member.
89. Colonel Goirune-Duncanasked the Secretary of State for War how many buildings in Hong Kong and Kowloon, suitable for married quarters and previously occupied for military purposes, have now been derequisitioned.
§ Mr. StracheyFour buildings which might, after structural work, have been suitable for married quarters and which were previously occupied for military purposes have now been derequisitioned. In view of the acute civilian accommodation problem in Hong Kong and Kowloon there is a strong opposition to property being requisitioned for use as Army married quarters.