§ Mr. Newensasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the degree of co-operation achieved between his Department and the Epping Forest council in arranging for Service men, living in that council's area, to be rehoused upon demobilisation, in cases where normal residential qualifications cannot be satisfied.
§ Dr. GilbertEpping Forest council currently requires those wishing to join its housing waiting list to meet a three-year residence qualification. It is prepared to waive this for Service men, but only if they or their spouses have a strong family connection with the district. Service men and ex-Service men are very seldom in a position to fulfil either of these requirements. This policy is contrary to the recommendations contained in circular 54/75 on housing for ex-Service men and ex-Service women issued by the Department of the Environment, and I very much regret that despite continued representations from my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Army, Epping Forest council has not so far been prepared to change its present policy.
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§ Mr. Newensasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will seek to negotiate an agreement with all local authorities, to which redundant Service men's accommodation is sold or transferred by his Department, that they will accept on their housing waiting lists Service men, requiring accommodation after their demobilisation, who are resident in their areas, but are unable to satisfy the normal residential qualifications owing to the exigencies of Service life.
§ Dr. GilbertI am grateful to my hon. Friend for making this suggestion. I will look into it further and will write to him as soon as possible.