HC Deb 10 April 1967 vol 744 cc135-7W
Mr. Roebuck

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate, respectively, the cost of providing accommodation in the United Kingdom for one brigade of troops, and their families, at present stationed in Western Germany and the cost of providing accommodation in the United Kingdom for two brigades of troops, and their families, at present stationed in Western Germany.

Mr. Boyden

About £6 million for the first brigade and £7½ million for the second, assuming the greatest use of existing assets and hirings.

Mr. Roebuck

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how much money will

the OFFICIAL REPORT on 9th June, 1964. The figures for 1964–65 onwards are:

be spent in 1967 and 1968, respectively, to provide accommodation in the United Kingdom for Servicemen and their families returning from posts abroad.

Mr. Reynolds

About £20.8 million and £11 million respectively.

Miss Quennell

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether he has yet considered how he proposes to inform local authorities in whose areas camps lie to which Servicemen are to be returned from overseas bases of the likely additional demand for local authority services of all kinds;

(2) whether his Department is prepared to make any financial contribution towards the provision of additional local authority services where these have to be expanded to meet the calls upon them following the return of Servicemen and their families from overseas.

(3) whether he is prepared to authorise district and/or sub-district commands to enter into ad hoc liaison arrangements with the appropriate representatives of local authorities in whose areas camps lie to which Servicemen from overseas bases are to be returned.

Mr. Boyden

Local service commanders maintain a close relationship with the local authorities to ensure that they are informed of any developments in their areas which would lead to additional demands on the amenities and services they provide. Any assistance from the Exchequer would have to be provided through the normal machinery of local government finance.

I will be writing to the hon. Lady about the problem in her own area.