§ Mr. DouglasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give details of the number of Her Majesty's forces from whom he expects to receive requests for financial assistance in relation to housing finance in relation to the decline in numbers arising from "Options for Change", the proportion of these in Scotland, the total sums involved and the Scottish proportion, and information of the relationship between his Department and relevant local authorities in order to overcome the problems arising from service personnel leaving the forces in considerable numbers.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonIt is not possible to predict the number or geographical distribution of those leaving the armed forces over the next few years who might seek such assistance.
My Department is liaising closely with the Department of the Environment and the Scottish Office concerning the problems which may be faced by those service personnel leaving the forces as a result of restructuring.