§ Mr. Eldon Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if, within the limits of operational secrecy, he will state the approximate number of RAF personnel stationed at RAF Honington, giving a breakdown of their accommodation under the following or similar headings: personnel in RAF quarters on the base or in satellite housing areas, personnel in housing rented by his department from local authorities and private persons, respectively, and let to RAF families, personnel living in houses rented directly from private persons and personnel living in their own houses;
(2) how many houses have been purchased over the past three years for RAF, RN and PSA personnel at RAF Honing- 396W ton; where these houses are situated; and how much they cost;
(3) what discussions he has had with St. Edmundsbury and Forest Heath District Councils about the purchase or rental of surplus town development houses for RAF Honington; and on what dates these discussions took place.
§ Mr. Wellbeloved,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 28th June 1976; Vol. 914, c. 18–19], gave the following information:
(1) There are both Royal Air Force and Royal Navy personnel stationed at RAF Honington and the combined Service total is approximately 2,200. 895 Service men live in RAF married quarters on the base or in satellite housing areas. No housing is rented by my Department from local authorities or from private persons and let to RAF families. 455 Service men are living in houses rented directly from private persons or in their own houses, but separate figures are not maintained.
(2) 63 houses have been purchased in the past three years for use by personnel at RAF Honington. The houses are at Stanton. It is not our policy to disclose publicly the cost of such house purchases.
(3) RAF Honington was asked informally earlier this year by the St. Edmundsbury District Council whether the station wished to lease town development houses on a temporary basis. The council was advised that the station had no requirement for such leased houses. There have been no discussions with Forest Heath District Council about surplus town development houses.