§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence why the command pay office at Winchester warned Falkland Islands widows Mrs. Viviene Elley and Mrs. Jane Keoghame that if their rent was not paid within 28 days they would refer the cases to solicitors for recovery.
§ Mr. WigginThe widows of Service men who are living in married quarters at the time of their husband's death are allowed to remain in them whilst they find alternative permanent accommodation for themselves and their family. Many would otherwise be homeless. They receive the equivalent of their late husband's pay and are asked to pay the usual charges for occupation.
Mrs. Elley and Mrs. Keogham left their homes very quickly after their husbands were killed and went to stay 87W with relatives. Understandably, they did not at that time inform the Army housing authorities of their intentions. Subsequently when they were contacted by officers from their late husbands' regiment, they said that they did not wish to return. Appropriate action was taken to terminate the occupancy of the married quarters and arrangements made to forward their personal effects. They were also asked to pass the bill for the married quarter charges when it arrived to the regimental association, which had agreed to meet it. There was some delay over this and a reminder had to be sent. The bills have now been settled.