HC Deb 31 October 1974 vol 880 cc5-6W
Mr. Newens

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the houses and other units of accommodation owned by his Department at North Weald and indicate how many are now occupied, and how long any which are not occupied have been empty.

Mr. John

There are 39 married quarters for officers and 186 for other ranks at North Weald. Twenty-three officers' quarters and 59 other ranks' quarters are unoccupied at present. The unoccupied officers' quarters have been vacant for varying periods of up to 12 months and the unoccupied other ranks' quarters for varying periods of up to four months, but all the latter are expected to be occupied early next year.

Mr. Newens

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he intends to dispose of any service accommodation owned by his Department at North Weald; and if he intends to offer any houses surplus to requirements to the Epping Forest District Council.

Mr. John

All officers' married quarters at North Weald, which were intended for disposal, have had to be retained at present for possible emergency use by Service families from Cyprus. There is a continuing Service requirement for the other ranks' married quarters.