HC Deb 20 November 1990 vol 181 cc79-80W
Sir John Hunt

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much is currently being spent on the renting of residential accommodation for RAF officers in the Greater London area as a consequence of the shortfall in the availability of officers' married quarters in the area.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The RAF no longer rents residential accommodation in lieu of married quarters. An excess rent allowance is paid to compensate married service personnel for higher costs incurred in renting private accommodation, but the information on that paid for RAF officers in the Greater London area is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Sir John Hunt

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will indicate the present position with regard to the availability of RAF officers' married quarters in the Greater London area; and what effect the planned disposal of officers' married quarters at RAF Biggin Hill is expected to have on the supply of such accommodation.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The number of RAF officers' married quarters in the Greater London area is adequate for our needs. In view of the anticipated reduction in the requirement for officers' married quarters in the Greater London area in the medium to long term, the planned disposal of the RAF officers' married quarters at RAF Biggin Hill is not expected to affect the situation adversely.