HC Deb 05 February 1969 vol 777 cc121-2W
Mr. Dalyell

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what recent advice he has given to local authorities on the claims of ex-Servicemen to favourable consideration in the allocation of council houses.

Mr. MacColl

In a circular issued in 1965 all housing authorities in England were asked to accept an application for a council house made before discharge or within one year of it by a regular Serviceman who had found employment in or near the district or who had family connections with it, and to consider the application exclusively on the basis of his housing needs without any regard whatsoever for the length of his residence in the locality. Local authorities were again requested to pay particular regard to these arrangements in a circular on homeless families issued in September, 1967. I am sending copies of these circulars to my hon. Friend.