§ Mr. Bishopasked the Minister of State for Defence if he is aware of the concern at the shortage of service accommodation for British forces and their families in Germany; if he will estimate the number of officers and other ranks awaiting such accommodation; what is the cost in foreign currency of private accommodation hirings, which also involve families in higher costs for groceries, &c. from non-camp stores; and what action he is taking urgently to provide more accommodation.
§ Mr. Ian GilmourI share this concern. There are some 5,000 officers and other ranks awaiting official married accommodation of whom about half are living with their families in private accommodation. The cost of this accommodation in foreign currency is approximately £1 million a year. However, the provision of official hirings would similarly entail expenditure of foreign currency. The acquisition of some 2,000 additional official hirings is already in hand and proposals for meeting the balance of the requirement are under examination.