§ Mr. Ernie RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about Defence Agency status for the Defence Housing Executive. [54872]
§ Mr. SpellarCurrently, the responsibility for managing, allocating and maintaining suitable housing for the families of Service personnel posted within Great Britain lies with the Defence Housing Executive. The Department owns or leases some 64,000 houses across the country which are controlled by the DHE staff of some 1,200 through a network of 24 Area offices, 7 Regional offices and one Headquarters office.
A "prior options" study is being undertaken to establish whether Agency status or other options would be appropriate. I should welcome comments from interested parties. These should be sent to:
- Air Marshal Sir Peter Squire KCB DFC AFC RAF
- Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff (Programmes and Personnel)
- Ministry of Defence
- Room 5327
- Main Building
- Whitehall
- London
- SW1A 2HB.