§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish in the Official Report the amount of money made available for the maintenance of Service married quarters in each of the years 1974, 1975, 1976 and 1977, respectively; and what increase or decrease in expenditure this represents, expressed as a percentage, for each individual quarter in these years.
§ Dr. GilbertExpenditure on the maintenance of Service married quarters, with the percentage increase per married quarter from the previous financial year was as follows:
Financial year Total cost£ million Percentage increase from previous year Per cent. 1973–74 … 12.5 +9 1974–75 … 16.7 +30 1975–76 … 22.7 +36 1976–77 … 24.7 +12
§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of Service men's married quarters in the United Kingdom have only electrical heating, and lack insulation, respectively.
§ Dr. GilbertAbout 48 per cent. of other ranks' quarters have only electrical heating. Detailed figures are not readily available on insulation levels. All quarters have at least 25 mm of roof insulation. Most have 50 mm. Those with only 25 mm are being brought up to 75 mm. All quarters designed since 1968 and those which have had central heating installed in the last 18 months have an even higher level of insulation, in some cases including cavity wall filling.
§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for Defence if, in the light of the hardship caused, particularly to lower-paid Service men and women, by the high cost of electrical heating and lack of insulation in married quarters, he will take steps to introduce a special fuel cost allowance before the winter months.
§ Dr. GilbertHouseholders throughout the country have, unfortunately, faced rising fuel costs. A programme to improve the insulation of Services married quarters has been introduced. This should 209W help to produce savings in fuel bills for the occupants of the quarters involved.